Crisis Hotline: 706.571.6010
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1.888.373.7888 & SMS: 233733 (Text "HELP" or "INFO")
Georgia Cares Hotline: 1.844.8GA.DMST (1.844.842.3678)
Human trafficking is a form of modern slavery—a multi-billion dollar criminal industry that denies freedom to 20.9 million people around the world. And no matter where you live, chances are it's happening nearby. From the girl forced into prostitution at a truck stop, to the man discovered in a restaurant kitchen, stripped of his passport and held against his will. All trafficking victims share one essential experience: the loss of freedom.
The Polaris Project
WHAT IS HUMAN TRAFFICKING?
Sex trafficking is a form of modern slavery that exists throughout the United States and globally.
Sex traffickers use violence, threats, lies, debt bondage, and other forms of coercion to compel adults and children to engage in commercial sex acts against their will. Under U.S. federal law, any minor under the age of 18 years induced into commercial sex is a victim of sex trafficking—regardless of whether or not the trafficker used force, fraud, or coercion.
The situations that sex trafficking victims face vary dramatically. Many victims become romantically involved with someone who then forces or manipulates them into prostitution. Others are lured in with false promises of a job, such as modeling or dancing. Some are forced to sell sex by their parents or other family members. They may be involved in a trafficking situation for a few days or weeks, or may remain in the same trafficking situation for years.
Victims of sex trafficking can be U.S. citizens, foreign nationals, women, men, children, and LGBTQ individuals. Vulnerable populations are frequently targeted by traffickers, including runaway and homeless youth, as well as victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, war, or social discrimination.
Sex trafficking occurs in a range of venues including fake massage businesses, via online ads or escort services, in residential brothels, on the street or at truck stops, or at hotels and motels.
GEORGIA STATISTICS
The below statistics are based on the signals -- phone calls, emails, and webforms -- received by the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) that reference Georgia. To protect the identity of the people we serve, the NHTRC does not disclose exact statistics related to venues, industries, or caller information when referenced fewer than three times.
NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE GEORGIA STATE REPORTS
The data in this report represents signals and cases from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018 and is accurate as of July 25, 2019. Cases of trafficking may be ongoing or new information may revealed to the National Hotline over time. Consequently, statistics may be subject to change as new information emerges.
NATIONAL STATISTICS
National Human Trafficking Hotline and BeFree Textline Stats
Provided by: Polaris
Who are the Survivors?
Victims and survivors of human trafficking represent every race and ethnicity but some forms of trafficking are more likely to affect specific ethnic groups.
Data Highlights: January 1- December 31, 2019
Victims and survivors of sex and labor trafficking know their situations and needs better than anyone. For that reason - and with certain limited exceptions, such as situations involving children - the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline will not contact law enforcement or otherwise take action on behalf of the victim or survivor without that person’s consent. That’s why the nearly 20 percent increase in victims and survivors who contacted us directly is so meaningful. Hearing directly from the person affected gives the Trafficking Hotline the best information and avenue to provide help. That might mean putting together a safety plan, finding an attorney, a shelter bed or a trauma counselor, or, in some cases, seeking law enforcement intervention. Also worth noting is the rapid growth of text as a means of communication with the Trafficking Hotline.
Top 3 Identified Sex Trafficking Types:
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Escort services: 1,278
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Illicit massage, health, and beauty: 1,247
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Pornography: 733
Gender:
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Female: 15,222
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Male: 3,003
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Gender minorities: 135
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Unknown: 3,966
Nationality:
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U.S. citizen/Lawful permanent resident: 1,388
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Foreign national: 4,601
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Unknown: 16,337
AGE AT TIME SEX OR LABOR TRAFFICKING BEGAN
SEX TRAFFICKING
Average age at time exploitation started: 17
LABOR TRAFFICKING
Average age at time exploitation started: 22
HOW ARE THE VICTIMS TRAFFICKED?
The data gives insight into the systems and tactics that traffickers use to conduct their business. Traffickers frequently prey on an individual’s vulnerabilities, and the data spotlight factors that may have placed these victims at risk—as well as the variety of tactics used to recruit and keep them in a trafficking situation. These statistics are non-cumulative and only reflect the instances when the information was provided for an individual survivor.
SEX TRAFFICKING
Intimate partner/marriage proposition: 1,067
Familial: 981
Job offer/advertisement: 515
Posing as a benefactor: 438
False promises/fraud: 353
LABOR TRAFFICKING
Job offer/advertisement: 2,557
False promises/fraud: 805
Smuggling-related: 221
Familial: 168
Posing as a benefactor: 132
The Global Slavery Index provides a map, country by country, of the estimated prevalence of modern slavery, together with information about the steps each government has taken to respond to this issue. This information allows an objective comparison and assessment of both the problem and adequacy of the response in 167 countries.
What does "BBB" mean? The government has implemented key components of a holistic response to some forms of modern slavery, with victim support services, a strong criminal justice response, evidence of coordination and collaboration, and protections in place for vulnerable populations. Governments may be beginning to address slavery in supply chains of government procurement, or of businesses operating within their territory. There may be evidence that some government policies and practices may criminalise and/or cause victims to be deported.