The 2018 U.S. Census shows 36 new people move to Atlanta every single day of the year. As the city struggles to meet the demands of a population boom, a seedy underbelly is gaining traction.
During Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta in February 2019, local, state, and federal officials arrested 169 people during an 11-day FBI-led human trafficking operation. Among the arrests were 23 traffickers and 34 people attempting to engage in sex acts with minors. As for the victims, 19 sex trafficking victims were rescued — the youngest victim was just 14-years-old.
The FBI’s Crimes Against Children and Human Trafficking program works to liberate both U.S. citizens and foreigners alike from various forms of human trafficking, including forced labor, domestic servitude, and commercial sex trafficking. Atlanta sees a spike in sex-related crimes near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Around 9% of men who buy sex with young females do so near the airport. Because Hartsfield-Jackson is the busiest airport in the world, sex traffickers and their victims can move through rapidly.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is making it his mission to end the illegal child sex trade in his state. “In this city, Atlanta has become a hub for human trafficking. Innocent children are simply being sold for sex. Evil people committing evil deeds all to turn a profit,” Kemp tells TV station WTOC-TV.
There are many resources across the state to help victims of sex trafficking escape the trade. One of them is the Out of Darkness, a 24/7 hotline that provides support and access to referrals for victims and survivors of human trafficking in Georgia.
Other resources include House of Cherith, Rescuing Hope, Georgia Cares, Gigi House and Salvation Army.
If you know someone who has been a victim of the sex trade, experienced trial attorney Pat McDonough can help them find justice. Mr. McDonough seeks civil justice by going after hotels and motels. There are no costs to survivor. Reach out for your free, 100% confidential, consultation.