South dominates U.S. in human trafficking, FBI statistics show
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - More than half of human trafficking incidents reported to the FBI occur in the South, according to the FBI.
The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting program released its Human Trafficking and Drug Offenses 2013-2022 report on Tuesday.
Human trafficking in the CSRA: ‘It is happening here’
Human trafficking is a problem that reaches every corner of the globe — even right here at home.
The FBI started collecting data in 2013. From 2013 to 2022, data shows more than 8,700 reported incidents involving human trafficking. Over 4,500 were reported by Southern agencies, making up 51.5% of reports.
Human trafficking is a problem that reaches every corner of the globe — including the CSRA.
In Grovetown last week, police say a victim ran into the police department pleading for help.
Many neighbors told us they didn’t know what was going on until we told them about it.
“In the South, we’re seeing it because there’s a concentration of focus here by the FBI and others of looking for it, and acknowledging it’s here. You also got the factors of the world’s busiest airport, major interstates, and good weather. People want to come here and crime follows. The key thing that the stats from 2013 and on continue to report out year after year, is this is not just a downtown Atlanta problem. It’s not a suburban Atlanta problem. It is Savannah. It is Augusta. It’s Albany. It’s Macon. It’s everywhere in the US,” said Tony Thomas with the FBI’s Atlanta office.
He said as of last week, there are more than 1,600 open cases.
The most common age ranges of victims were 13 to 19 years old.
Thomas said if you see something, say something. Signs of trafficking could be someone not looking you in the eye. Traffickers often use drugs and present to coerce young people.
Aiken group looks to help as homelessness grows
Homelessness is growing in Aiken, and the Salvation Army’s shelter is reaching capacity every night.
“If something doesn’t seem right, report it, let the authorities, the experts, look at it and see if there’s an issue there. That’s the only way these can be identified,” said Thomas.
Experts say many have this idea of human trafficking as someone getting taken by a stranger.
And while they say that is a concern, most victims are trafficked by someone they know, even here in the CSRA.
“It happens across the board. And I think it is something that people are really not aware of – that it is happening here,” said Executive Director of Child Enrichment Kari Viola-Brooke.
Grants to fight overdoses, addiction in 2 CSRA communities
Two grants are part of $2.8 million in money through the Drug-Free Communities Programs to empower communities to promote drug-free environments for Georgia’s youths.
If you are a victim or if you see someone else who might be, you can call 1-888-373-7888. You can call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
You can get help in 200 languages.
You can also submit an online tip at humantraffickingonline.org.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
