Human trafficking is a significant issue in Georgia, affecting vulnerable populations such as migrant and domestic workers, often exploited through threats, isolation, and fraudulent promises. It is driven by demand in industries like agriculture and hospitality, and significant efforts are being made to combat it through new laws, awareness campaigns, and support systems for victims. Recognizing red flags and reporting suspicious activities are crucial steps individuals can take to help address this pressing problem.

1. Human Trafficking A Local Problem

2. Review Global problem of human trafficking. About 30 million slaves in the world today. Kevin Bales, TED Talk

3. Is there human trafficking here? Yes, there is human trafficking in Georgia.

4. http://savannahnow.com/latest-news/2011-05-18/pair-faces-sex-trafficking-charges-georgia

5. http://www.fbi.gov/atlanta/press-releases/2009/at120909.htm

6. http://savannahnow.com/latest-news/2010-11-09/trial-begins-mexican-sex-trafficking-case

7. http://savannahnow.com/latest-news/2010-04-28/4-sentenced-atlanta-sex-trafficking-case

8. http://www.macon.com/2008/07/21/410274/macon-police-bust-more-massage.html

9. Source: polarisproject.org

11. Why here? Why not.

12. Why here? Agriculture Migrant workers hand pick Vidalia onions in Georgia. The vegetable is too delicate to be harvested with machines.Kathy Lohr | NPR http://devblog.wgbh.org/News/Articles/2011/5/23/Images/11640_800x600.jpg

14. http://www.ajc.com/news/neighbors-shocked-at-allegations-237300.html Why here? Domestic Workers

15. Migrant and Domestic Workers Vulnerabilities: Isolation. Housing provided by employers. No control over transportation and limited communication with outsiders. Lack of familiarity with the language and laws. Exclusion from certain labor laws. Protections that do exist are not always enforced. Source: polarisproject.org

16. Migrant and Domestic Workers Means of Control: Threats of deportation. Threat of harm to the victim or the victim’s family. Document confiscation (passport). Debt. Verbal and/or sexual abuse to create a climate of fear and helplessness. False promises of education or a better life. Workers on visas are often prohibited from working for an employer other than the one who requested their visa. Source: polarisproject.org

17. Why here? Hospitality Restaurants Waitstaff, bussers, dishwashers, cooks David Batstone (Not For Sale Campaign) Hotels Contract Labor – housekeeping and room service Source: polarisproject.org

18. When does Exploitation become Trafficking? A situation becomes trafficking when the employer uses force, fraud and/or coercion to maintain control over the worker and to cause the worker to believe that he or she has no other choice but to continue with the work. The victim is under 18.

19. Why here? Existing Laws Unregulated “massage parlors” in Macon. New Immigration law?

20. Why here? Sex 12,400 men each month in Georgia pay for sex with a woman. 7,200 of those men end up exploiting an adolescent female. Each adolescent female is exploited an average of 3 times per day. 65% of men who buy sex with young females doing so in and around suburban metro Atlanta. 9% of men who buy sex with young females in metro Atlanta gave their location as near the airport. Travel and tourism play a major role in sustaining commercial sexual exploitation of children. Source: The Schapiro Group. Men Who Buy Sex with Adolescent Girls: A Scientific Research Study

21. Why here? Sex “ While many of the men who exploit these victims are not seeking adolescent females per se, the study also shows that just under half are willing to pay for sex with a young female even when they know for sure she is an adolescent. These men are not only abundant in quantity, but are present throughout the metro Atlanta area and the rest of the state. They represent all age ranges and are perfectly comfortable asking directly for young females.” “ Men who travel into Georgia purchase sex with young females during their stay.” Source: The Schapiro Group. Men Who Buy Sex with Adolescent Girls: A Scientific Research Study

22. Why here? The Internet The internet makes is easier to find victims or clients. Craigslist

23. Why here? Profitability Right now in Georgia, the bad guys are making more money trafficking than the good guys have to enforce laws or take care of victims.

24. What is being done about it?

25. Macon Billboards Take Back the Sky campaign, Middle Georgia Alliance to End Regional Trafficking (mgalert) Source: mgalert.com

26. http://www.macon.com/2010/03/16/1060355/billboard-companies-turning-against.html

27. New Georgia Sex Trafficking Law

28. New Georgia Sex Trafficking Law Punishes the trafficker not the victim. Requires training for law enforcement on addressing human trafficking, appropriate detention for victims, and assistance available to victims. Increases penalties for trafficking: 10-20 years in prison where the victim is over 18 years old. 25-50 years or life in prison in cases involving victims under 18 years of age. A fine up to $100,00 may also be imposed in all trafficking cases Changes penalties for pimping, pandering, and keeping a place of prostitution if the victim is a minor. Other provisions.

29. Georgia Care Connection Governor’s Office of Children and Families Point of contact for anyone who seeks help for a sex-trafficked child. Provides information and technical assistance for victims, family members, community members, law enforcement, medical personnel and service providers. Tracks both actual and potential sexually exploited children and helps “connect the dots” of the child’s actions to identify opportunities for intervention.

30. What you can do.

31. Recognizing the Signs Common Work and Living Conditions Is not free to leave or come and go as he/she wishes Is under 18 and is providing commercial sex acts Is in the commercial sex industry and has a pimp / manager Is unpaid, paid very little, or paid only through tips Works excessively long and/or unusual hours Is not allowed breaks or suffers under unusual restrictions at work Owes a large debt and is unable to pay it off Was recruited through false promises concerning the nature and conditions of his/her work High security measures exist in the work and/or living locations (e.g. opaque windows, boarded up windows, bars on windows, barbed wire, security cameras, etc.)

32. Recognizing the Signs Poor Mental Health or Abnormal Behavior Is fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, or nervous/paranoid Exhibits unusually fearful or anxious behavior after bringing up law enforcement Avoids eye contact Poor Physical Health Lacks health care Appears malnourished Shows signs of physical and/or sexual abuse, physical restraint, confinement, or torture

33. Recognizing the Signs Lack of Control Has few or no personal possessions Is not in control of his/her own money, no financial records, or bank account Is not in control of his/her own identification documents (ID or passport) Is not allowed or able to speak for themselves (a third party may insist on being present and/or translating) Other Claims of just visiting and inability to clarify where he/she is staying/address Lack of knowledge of whereabouts and/or do not know what city he/she is in Loss of sense of time Has numerous inconsistencies in his/her story

34. If you see any of these red flags, contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline at 1-888-3737-888 to report the situation.

35. What we can do. Pay attention Look for the signs, report red flags. Support the groups that are working against human trafficking in Georgia. Support victims. Press local and state officials to Investigate trafficking, Prosecute traffickers, Protect victims. Reduce poverty.

36. Savannah Working Against Human Trafficking Group

37. Questions?