Human Trafficking

Myths, Realities, and How You Can Help

By District Attorney Shannon Wallace

Its hard to imagine the horrors of human trafficking. Worldwide, people are forced into modern day slavery, subjected to threats and violence at the hands of traffickers, and obligated to have sex simply to survive. But its important to understand the myths and realities that surround this crime as well as ways you can help.

Myths

Myth #1 Human trafficking doesnt happen here.
Many people mistakenly believe this crime doesnt happen in Cherokee. Truth is, there have been federal and state prosecutions stemming from human trafficking investigations in our county. According to the GRACE Commission, an organization established by Georgias First Lady Marty Kemp, metro Atlanta is ranked abnormally high in this crime.

Myth #2 Victims are always snatched off the street by strangers.
Most of us have read stories about strangers in white vans snatching children while they walk down the street. While this might occur sometimes, human traffickers typically use more discrete methods to lure their victims, such as social media.

Myth #3 Victims always know they will be selling their bodies.
Traffickers sometimes lure victims into the life by false promises. They promise victims careers in modeling or acting, and once victims are in, its difficult to escape.

Realities

Human trafficking is a highly underreported crime. Many victims are afraid to call the police, feel trapped, and think they have no other options.

Traffickers target vulnerable people who lack a strong support system, especially runaway teens, child abuse survivors, people with substance abuse addictions, and people with mental or physical disabilities. Once predators find potential victims, they groom or manipulate them for a period before luring them away.

With the ease and enormity of the internet, these criminals can reach victims without leaving their home. Through online ads and job opportunities that sound too good to be true, traffickers initiate contact in a manner that seems innocent.

Predators also friend or follow young people on social media and watch for posts about difficulties at school or home, which can signal vulnerability. Predators take advantage of this vulnerability to earn trust, then alienate victims from friends and family.

Ways You Can Help

Anyone can be susceptible to the ploys of human traffickers, even kids who think they know better. The biggest single piece of advice for parents is to monitor and pay attention to what children are doing on their devices.

Another way to help is by supporting organizations, such as Wellspring Living and Noonday Association of Churches, which help survivors by providing safe housing, education and therapy, and gradual assimilation back into society.

If you or someone you know is a victim and needs help, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 (HumanTraffickingHotline.org) or Statewide Georgia Hotline for Domestic Minor Trafficking at 1-844-842-3678.

Human Trafficking Facts

Georgia is ranked 7th in the nation in reported human trafficking, with 375 cases in 2018, versus 98 in 2012 (National Human Trafficking Hotline).
The average age of entry into the commercial sex market is 12 to 14 years old (Shared Hope International).
1 in 6 reported endangered runaways is believed to be a human trafficking victim (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children).
63% of human trafficking victims report being sold online (THORN).
7,200 men purchase sex from a minor every month in Georgia, accounting for 8,700 sex acts (The Schapiro Group).