Anti-Human Trafficking

Sex Trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain a commercial sex act for profit. It is modern-day slavery.

Who We Are

We work in partnership with concerned citizens dedicated to ending sex trafficking in our community through awareness and education. Local non-profits, legislators, schools, and community groups work have united to align forces to address a problem that no one individual or group can tackle alone.

Eradication of human trafficking starts with educating the community how to detect, report, and prevent crimes against children.

Understanding Sex and Human Trafficking

The first step to ending sex trafficking is to understand what it is and what it looks like from a modern perspective. Due to the rise of the internet and digital devices, the way society connects and interacts has completely changed. We conduct business meetings online, and we can chat with multiple friends at once using several social media apps. We have created a virtual world.

These conveniences have also impacted the sex industry.

Buyers and sellers in the industry are now connecting online.

OnlyFans, Pornhub, dating sites, Snapchat, Facebook, and Instagram are just a few examples of how and where traffickers can operate online. A person can be trafficked anywhere or sold anywhere, even virtually. People aren’t just sold off the streets or transported from state to state or country to country. A person can be sold to viewers on a webcam in any random apartment or building. The game is constantly changing and evolving. Therefore, parents must be wise and current on these trends.

People can be trafficked in hotels, truck stops, apartments, illicit massage parlors, farms, online, or anywhere a buyer and seller connect.

Online Grooming of Children

The primary way traffickers lure their victims is through a method called grooming. Grooming is a process predators use to establish an emotional bond for sexual abuse, exploitation, sexting, sextortion (blackmailing), or trafficking.

The average teen spends eight hours daily on a mobile device, and it only takes eight minutes for a groomer to create a bond. Many are not aware that more than 500,000 predators are online at any given moment in the day searching for potential victims. Kids now have access to the world, and the entire world has access to them.¹

Young children are even being stalked and groomed on gaming consoles.

We are here to help parents protect their kids from big tech, social media, and groomers.

Our group knows what to look for and what tools are available.

For example, the Bark phone is a tool designed to empower parents and protect minors. Bark offers many safety features for all digital devices in the home.

Trafficking and sexual exploitation cases rose during the COVID-19 pandemic due to kids being stuck at home on their digital devices for long periods.

Ending Sex Trafficking in Fulton County

Atlanta is one of the top ten cities for sex trafficking. The Mayor is quoted as suggesting that the illicit sex trade in Atlanta is 300 million dollars annually. It is just as prevalent in the suburbs as in urban areas. ²

To end sex trafficking in Georgia, we are reaching out to our state legislators to support bills aimed at raising penalties for sex traffickers and sex buyers. Buyers create the demand for access to online pornography, fueling the desire to purchase sex, and an open border flooding our states with vulnerable minors, we have created the perfect storm for kids to be bought and sold. The good news is that we have a voice and are using it to make a difference. This year, the Georgia legislature passed a grooming bill and an age verification bill to require an ID so kids do not gain access to online pornography in Georgia.

We are also having success at the local level, proving that concerned citizens CAN make a difference. In an operation spearheaded by the Roswell City Council and Roswell Police Department, Roswell implemented ordinances to help halt trafficking in illicit massage parlors. Their continuing efforts have resulted in over 70 arrests in 23 locations.³

We can build upon these wins by encouraging other cities in our state to enact similar ordinances.

Getting Involved

Often, victims do not report the abuse because of fear of retaliation or embarrassment.

They need our help.

There are many ways you can help end sex trafficking in the community. We can connect you to several well-established groups that are leaders in restoring survivors. By working together, we can create a safer society for all.

We can also suggest training sessions and resources to help keep you and your family safe.

One person can make a difference.

Get Involved!

References

Lazic, May 19, 2023, “21 Alarming Online Predators Statistics” Legal Jobs https://legaljobs.io/blog/online-predators-statistics
“What Are The Top 10 Cities For Human Trafficking In The US?” Easy Llama
Sept 22, 2023 “Human Trafficking Arrests” YouTube