Sexual Exploitation of Children Hits Close to Home

In a big city like Atlanta, we face a number of social issues. But lately, one in particular has caught my attention. Because it's possible that some people I know could be fueling the problem, child sex trafficking has recently hit home. In addition, it's occurring in our community.

According to Junior League of Atlanta President and Buckhead mom Audra Dial,  Atlanta is one of the top three cities in the county for commercial sexual exploitation of children. She's become familiar with the issue based on her role in the organization, which adopted human trafficking as a cause because of its urgency.

"It is something that until a few years ago, no one was talking about because it was so difficult for people to understand," she said.  "An estimated 350 girls are exploited each month for commercial gain, within 48 hours of leaving home a child is approached for exploitation, and there are not nearly enough beds to house the victims of this crime in Atlanta or the Southeast," said Dial.

Certainly, these are alarming statistics.  But, there are more.

"The primary areas where this activity is occurring is in Buckhead at Peachtree and Pharr roads and also in Midtown at Peachtree/North Avenue," said Dial.  "I drive by the Buckhead area all the time, and the Midtown location is near my office so it is difficult to realize that this exploitation is happening under our eyes."

In 2009, the Schapiro Group, a local research firm, conducted a survey on the demand side of commercial sexual exploitation. Here are some statistics that were uncovered:

•  12,400 men each month in Georgia pay for sex with a young female, 7,200 of whom end up exploiting an adolescent female
•  These men account for 8,700 paid sex acts with adolescent females each month, which means that each adolescent female is exploited an average of three times per night.
• Forty two percent of the men who respond to advertisements for sex with young females are from the northern suburbs located outside of I-285

Armed with this information and more, organizations and individuals are bringing awareness to this exploitation. 

"To address the problem, we can educate our friends on this issue, call the police if we see a young girl in a potentially dangerous situation so that she can get help, and most importantly, tell the businesses in these areas about this problem and ways they can help combat it by providing a safe place for the girls to wait if they are in trouble," said Dial. 

She also explained that children that are typically unable to resolve conflict and have low self-esteem, can be vulnerable to another who makes them feel special, like a pimp. "It's critical to empower children to be confident in who they are and create an environment where they feel comfortable in communicating to you as the parent," said Dial.

Earlier this month, the Georgia Legislature passed HB 200, which is designed to make it easier for law enforcement to go after pimps and others who exploit minors for sex. It's also designed to increase penalties for the crime of human trafficking and sexual servitude. The bill was sponsored by Majority Whip Ed Lindsey of Buckhead.

Moms, there's a movement afoot.  How will you address this problem in Buckhead?  To learn more about the issue or to get involved, visit www.streetgrace.org and afuturenotapast.org.

Disclosure:  Columnist Beth Okun is a member of the Junior League of Atlanta.