Trafficking Info
Atlanta, Georgia is a major travel hub. That means there are thousands of individuals who pass through the city daily. Most are going about their lives meeting friends, visiting family or conducting business. However, at times, in fact too many times, there are nefarious activities bing conducted one of the worst being human trafficking. By now, we are aware that the face of human trafficking can be anyone - any age, any complexion - there are no boundaries. However, there can be signs. The best way to stop human trafficking is to recognize those signs and bring it to someone’s attention. Only by identifying and pointing it out can the victims be liberated and the exploiters be brought to justice.
Too often it is children who are trafficked. In fact 27% are victims of trafficking. They are four times more likely to be trafficked for labor. Circumstances may make them vulnerable to exploitation. Some of those are mental health issues, self esteem issues, runaways and subsequent homelessness.
As part of its educational campaign, the "Blue Campaign" was created by the US Department of Homeland Security. Out of the “Blue Campaign” the Homeland Security shares a list of indicators that can help you recognize signs of human trafficking whether the individuals are domestic or traveling. Take a look at what are considered red flags. Recognizing them could save a life.
- Does the person appear disconnected from family, friends, community organizations, or houses of worship?
- Has a child stopped attending school?
- Has the person had a sudden or dramatic change in behavior?
- Is a juvenile engaged in commercial sex acts?
- Is the person disoriented or confused, or showing signs of mental or physical abuse?
- Does the person have bruises in various stages of healing?
- Is the person fearful, timid, or submissive?
- Does the person show signs of having been denied food, water, sleep, or medical care?
- Is the person often in the company of someone to whom he or she defers? Or someone who seems to be in control of the situation, e.g., where they go or who they talk to?
- Does the person appear to be coached on what to say?
- Is the person living in unsuitable conditions?
- Does the person lack personal possessions and appear not to have a stable living situation?
- Does the person have freedom of movement? Can the person freely leave where they live? Are there unreasonable security measures?
Human Trafficking Resources
The National Human Trafficking Hotline is a 24-hour, confidential, multilingual hotline covering more than 200 languages for victims, survivors, and witnesses of human trafficking.
- The hotline number is 1-888-373-7888 provided by Polaris’s BeFree Textline.
- Text "HELP" to 233733 (BEFREE).
- Email help@humantraffickinghotline.org.
Georgia resources available for human trafficking information and reporting are listed below.
YouthSpark
Georgia
https://youth-spark.org/take-action/contact-us
YouthSpark is an advocacy organization whose focus is reducing child exploitation and sex trafficking rates. YouthSpark offers services for youth, conducts investigative research, advocates for policy, and develops and provides training.
nadid: 29043
Children’s Advocacy Centers of Georgia, Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Response Team
Georgia
Toll-Free: 866-ENDHTGA
Email: referrals@cacga.org
https://www.cacga.org/csec-response-team/
T
Revved Up Kids, Inc.
Georgia
Phone: (678) 526-3335
Email: contact@revvedupkids.org
Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, Human Trafficking Task Force
Georgia
https://cjcc.georgia.gov/human-trafficking-task-force
Rescuing Hope
Georgia
Email: info@rescuinghope.com
