Atlanta metropolitan area is considered a national and international “distribution hub” for sexual exploitation of children with victims being bought, sold, and rented by the hour.
Recent quarterly results from an ongoing independent tracking study indicate that more than 250 adolescent girls are being commercially sexually exploited each month in Georgia through the Internet, escort services and on the streets. This survey was commissioned by the “A Future. Not a Past” campaign to stop the prostitution of children in Georgia.
These young girls are sometimes kidnapped, stolen, but often are runaways and throwaways from the communities we call home. They are from Atlanta, Savannah, Macon, Albany, Dalton, Cairo, Jesup and Sylvania and throughout the United States.
The chances of a runaway child being recruited into the sex industry are greater than 50%. Most are approached within 48 – 72 hours of leaving home.
Commercial Sexual Exploitation is a transient industry. 2007 reports indicate that girls, who are listed for commercial sexual purposes on the internet site Craigslist-Atlanta, will appear on Craigslist-Chicago in 1 to 2 weeks.
The average age of the sexually exploited child in the United States is 12, and the market is increasing for younger and younger children.
Key locations for recruitment are frequented places by business people and tourists and the Internet.
Many children stand minimum chances of identification or rescue once they have been abducted or lured away because they are imprisoned in houses, hotels or on business premises with threats of violence to themselves or their families should they try to escape.
A “recruiter” may offer the child food and shelter, and then shortly require the girl to repay the debt by prostituting herself for the “household.” Or a pimp may drug, beat, and invite other men to gang rape the girl into submission before adding her to his “stable.”
If you are in danger call 911. If you see suspicious activity and believe that young girls or boys may be involved, call 911. You can also call the Human Trafficking Hot-line at 1.888.373.7888 or the Department of Justice at 1.888.428.7581 for help. For additional help and resources or if you have questions about what you can do, call call Living Water for Girls at 770.486.6666.
