Human Trafficking in Atlanta, GA

Atlanta, Ga is one of the human trafficking hot spots in the United States. Many researchers and NGO's place Atlanta, Ga as the #1 trafficking center in the US!

Here are the facts:

-Atlanta, GA's Heartsfield-Jackson Airport is the busiest airport in the world

-500 girls are trafficked each month for sex

-These 500 girls service 7200 men each month

-on average, 150 girls are raped each weekend for profit

-The average age of a trafficked female is 14 and the youngest is age 9

How can I recognize signs of Human Trafficking?

How Can I recognize signs of Human Trafficking?

If you or someone you know is:

•not getting paid for their labor
•not free to change employers
•being controlled by someone else
•being forced to do something they don't want to do
•has been cheated into payment of debt upon arrival

You, he, or she may be a victim of human trafficking and eligible for free assistance.
Please call our anonymous hotline for more information.

24 Hour Trafficking Hotline: 214-823-1911

www.mosaicservices.org

A victim:

· Has unexplained absences from school for a period of time, and is therefore a truant

· Demonstrates an inability to attend school on a regular basis

· Chronically runs away from home

· Makes references to frequent travel to other cities

· Exhibits bruises or other physical trauma, withdrawn behavior, depression, or fear

· Lacks control over her or his schedule or identification documents

· Is hungry-malnourished or inappropriately dressed (based on weather conditions or surroundings)

· Shows signs of drug addiction

Additional signs that may indicate sex-related trafficking include:

· Demonstrates a sudden change in attire, behavior, or material possessions (e.g., has expensive items)

· Makes references to sexual situations that are beyond age-specific norms

· Has a “boyfriend” who is noticeably older (10+ years)

· Makes references to terminology of the commercial sex industry that are beyond age specific norms; engages in promiscuous behavior and may be labeled “fast” by peers

Human Trafficking: The Facts

HUMAN TRAFFICKING: THE FACTS

•An estimated 2.5 million people are in forced labor (including sexual exploitation) at any given time as a result of trafficking(1)

Of these:

1.4 million – 56% - are in Asia and the Pacific

250,000 – 10% - are in Latin America and the Caribbean

230,000 – 9.2% - are in the Middle East and Northern Africa

130,000 – 5.2% - are in sub-Saharan countries

270,000 – 10.8% - are in industrialized countries

200,000 – 8% - are in countries in transition (2)

•161 countries are reported to be affected by human trafficking by being a source, transit or destination count(3)

•People are reported to be trafficked from 127 countries to be exploited in 137 countries, affecting every continent and every type of economy(4)

The Victims

•The majority of trafficking victims are between 18 and 24 years of age(5)

•An estimated 1.2 million children are trafficked each year(6)

•95% of victims experienced physical or sexual violence during trafficking (based on data from selected European countries(7)

•43% of victims are used for forced commercial sexual exploitation, of whom 98 per cent are women and girls (8)

•32% of victims are used for forced economic exploitation, of whom 56 per cent are women and girls(9)

•Many trafficking victims have at least middle-level education(10)

References

1 International Labour Organization, Forced Labour Statistics Factsheet (2007)

2 International Labour Organization, Forced Labour Statistics Factsheet (2007)

3 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Trafficking in Persons: Global Patterns (Vienna, 2006)

4 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Trafficking in Persons: Global Patterns (Vienna, 2006)

5 International Organization for Migration, Counter-Trafficking Database, 78 Countries, 1999-2006 (1999)

6 UNICEF, UK Child Trafficking Information Sheet (January 2003)

7 The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Stolen smiles: a summary report on the physical and psychological health consequences of women and adolescents trafficked in Europe (London, 2006)

8 International Labour Organization, Forced Labour Statistics Factsheet (2007)

9 International Labour Organization, Forced Labour Statistics Factsheet (2007)

10 International Organization for Migration, Counter-Trafficking Database, 78 Countries, 1999-2006 (1999)

How Can I make a difference?

HOW CAN I MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

Many wonder, "How can I make a difference?" While human trafficking is a big problem, the solution comes from many volunteers and organizations all working together. Polaris Project has a great tool on their website to help people find out what resources are available in their states and areas. Get involved and make a difference!

Click on the link below to access the state by state resource guide:

State Map | Polaris Project | Combating Human Trafficking and Modern-day Slavery

Support Senate Bill S. 596

The Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act of 2011 is a Senate bill that seeks to establish a grant program to benefit victims of sex trafficking, and for other related purposes.

What the Bill would do:

-Any child reported missing three times in a year would be automatically designated as an endangered juvenile.

-Provide funds for education, training, deterrence, and prevention programs relating to sex trafficking of minors.

-Require that states treat child victims of sex trafficking as crime victims rather that criminal defendants or juvenile delinquents.

-Promote consistent policing. Train police officers to recognize child trafficking when they see it.

-Authorize the Assistant Attorney General for the Office of the Justice Programs to award block grants up to six states or local governments to combat sex trafficking through case management, mental health counseling, legal services, etc. These would be pilot programs for the rest of the country.

-Amends the federal criminal code to expand protection of minor victims and witnesses from intimidation.

-Imposes a minimum 1 year prison term for possession of certain child pornography.

What Senators Support this Bill?

This bill was written and introduced by Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon

Senator

Ron Wyden

D-OR

Hide Co-Sponsors

• Sen. Richard Blumenthal [D, CT]
  Added June 21, 2011
• Sen. Scott Brown [R, MA]
  Added May 03, 2011
• Sen. Sherrod Brown [D, OH]
  Added May 03, 2011
• Sen. Maria Cantwell [D, WA]
  Added May 03, 2011
• Sen. John Cornyn [R, TX]
  Added March 16, 2011
• Sen. Michael Crapo [R, ID]
  Added October 11, 2011
• Sen. Kay Hagan [D, NC]
  Added October 13, 2011
• Sen. Thomas Harkin [D, IA]
  Added April 14, 2011
• Sen. Amy Klobuchar [D, MN]
  Added May 18, 2011
• Sen. Jon Kyl [R, AZ]
  Added April 14, 2011
• Sen. Jeff Merkley [D, OR]
  Added April 14, 2011
• Sen. Charles Schumer [D, NY]
  Added April 14, 2011