Human Trafficking's Grip on Atlanta
Sex trafficking. The illegal business of recruiting, harboring, transporting, obtaining, or providing a person for the purpose of sex. Human trafficking is the second largest criminal enterprise in the world, spanning from China all the way to Argentina. The horrific industry generates more than 150 billion dollars a year, only behind the drug trade in size. The United States is one of the major hubs for these dreadful operations, with between 14,500 and 17,500 trafficked in the States every year. In Atlanta, specifically, four out of every 100,000 people are human trafficking victims, the seventh highest rate in the United States. So what can you do to help make sure you not only keep yourself but others safe from human trafficking?
Georgia comes in as the sixteenth highest case per capita State when it comes to human trafficking. However, Atlanta is the city with the second-highest cases per capita in the United States, only behind Washington DC. One of the main reasons for this was the development of Hartsfield Jackson Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world with 260,000 people passing through every day. The growth of entertainment industries and the number of large events such as the Super Bowl and SEC Championship, creates a chaos traffickers feed off of to get their business done inconspicuously. In addition to the four major interstates within the city, traffickers have easy access to move in and out of areas quickly to conduct business. However, it’s not only the traffickers that benefit from this business model. Private businesses, mainly hotels, accept financial compensation for their silence rather than reporting the illegal activities going on within their property.
Every month, on average, 7,200 people purchase sex from a minor, resulting in around 8,000 sex acts being committed. Around 90 percent of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Victims were enrolled in school at the time of their exploitation. Pimps often look for young teenagers to exploit, either the homeless or those wandering the streets late at night. An unfortunate common trait among sexually trafficked teens is the development of Stockholm Syndrome, a condition that promotes feelings of trust and affection for one’s captor. This often results in a lack of trust, or the implementation of fear, against those trying to help them, as they are fed so many lies by the person they trust due to Stockholm Syndrome. This mistrust means they are afraid of service providers who are trying to help them. Jennifer Swain, executive director of Atlanta nonprofit YouthSparks, explained, “We have kids who come in [to the YouthSparks center at Fulton County Juvenile Court] who are afraid to tell the truth because they don’t know if they are going to get help or not.” Swain continued, saying, “A lot of victims don’t know they’re victims. They look at the situation as something they have to do.” This reluctance to tell the truth prevents victims from going to the authorities for the help they need, resulting in further exploitation and abuse.
So, what should you look out for when it comes to human trafficking? According to the Department of Homeland Security, key indicators include lack of freedom of movement, signs of abuse (mental and physical), and an increase in school absences. The best way to prevent this is through educating ourselves. Companies, such as Delta, have made it required for their employees to participate in anti-human trafficking training, for the safety of themselves and their passengers. Encouraging ourselves to learn more about issues such as this, can keep ourselves and others around us safer, allowing us to enjoy experiences rather than looking over our shoulder.
Every day, human trafficking happens underneath our noses. Whether it be our neighbors, friends, or complete strangers, we all are at risk of being damaged by this damaging industry. However, if everyone looks out for each other, that risk can be lowered to such a point where we can afford to not have to worry about ourselves and others being taken advantage of. If we can simply educate ourselves on, not only the industry but the tactics we can use to combat any threat a trafficker may pose, we can transform lives for our generation and future generations. If we can do that, maybe one day people may not have to look over their shoulders every time they just try to enjoy life.
Click here for the connecting article.
By Luke Birch