Lawmakers in Atlanta understand the terrible impact that human trafficking presents to the citizens of Georgia, and particularly the Augusta area where it runs rampant year round.
Funding has been set aside in this year’s budget to add three people to work out of Augusta and fight what has become the number one crime against children: human sex trafficking.
The new positions include one human trafficking prosecutor and two investigators who are based in the Augusta area, and will work directly for Attorney General Chris Carr’s office.
Children and vulnerable teens may be exploited through photographs and video, and later kidnapped and forced to perform sex for hire.
No, this isn’t Thailand, which is notorious for lax sex trafficking laws, but Augusta.
Due to its geographic location as a midpoint to reach several large cities, Augusta has long been a hub of trafficking in the trades involving sex, forced labor and drugs.
What may start with a seemingly innocent conversation on the internet can turn into a “grooming” situation where a child is lured into the web of sex for hire. Everything from illicit drugs to mental domination and physical abuse keeps the victims quiet as the trafficker’s use them for a sick profit.
The so called “groomers” look for easy prey. In many cases the victim possesses some level of vulnerability, usually issues with self-esteem, emotional neediness or economic insecurity. Fear, shame and intimidation keep the victims “in line” and quiet; groomers also use these tactics to force their victims to recruit others.
The fact this city hosts an international sporting tournament once a year only adds icing to the cake for these monsters and makes it easier for them to blend in and harder to snare.
Sex trafficking of minors is a $290 million industry in this state, according to the U.S. Justice Department’s Urban Institute in Washington D.C and quite a bit of it happens under our noses in our own backyard.
Augusta Sheriff’s Office Chief of Staff Louis Blanchard says he is pleased to see those in Atlanta take the problem seriously and are adding the additional manpower.
“It makes a lot of difference when you are battling something that is firmly in the shadows like this, Augusta has recovered more trafficked children than any other jurisdiction in the state,” Blanchard says.
While the three new positions are a help in the battle, it is also incumbent on the public to pay attention and notify authorities should they witness a situation they feel needs further investigation.
It could be your neighbor’s child you help save.
