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AWARENESS

Understanding Human Trafficking

WHAT IS HUMAN TRAFFICKING?

Human trafficking is a form of modern slavery in which individuals are exploited for labor, commercial sex, or other purposes through force, fraud, or coercion. Traffickers often prey on vulnerabilities such as poverty, lack of education, previous abuse, or unstable living conditions, and many victims experience multiple forms of exploitation at the same time, such as labor and sexual exploitation.

Child trafficking is particularly insidious. Some children are born into it and live their entire lives in conditions of slavery. Victims can be anyone, from children and teenagers to adults, regardless of background.

Traffickers are highly strategic in their operations, often targeting rural areas with underfunded law enforcement where detection is less likely, allowing them to carry out their crimes with greater impunity.

TYPES OF TRAFFICKING

There are seven broad categories of trafficking:

Sex Trafficking – Exploiting individuals for commercial sexual activity through force, fraud, or coercion.
Labor Trafficking – Forcing people to work in industries such as agriculture, construction, or domestic work under exploitative conditions.
Domestic Servitudde – Victims are forced to work in private households, often with restricted freedom and abusive conditions.
Child Trafficking & Exploitation – Children are coerced into labor, sexual exploitation, or even criminal activity.
Organ Trafficking – Coercing or deceiving individuals to give up organs for profit.
Marriage Trafficking – Victims are forced into marriage for labor, sex, or financial gain.
Debt / Bondage / Servitude Trafficking – Individuals are trapped in work through manipulated debt or other forms of coercion.

REGIONAL STATISTICS: AUGUSTA & THE CSRA

Human trafficking affects our communities directly. According to the latest statistics from the

National Human Trafficking Hotline (2024)

Georgia reported 350 cases, affecting 573 victims.

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342 cases ranked 5th in the nation

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Females made up nearly 70% of the reported victims

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WHY RURAL AREAS ARE TARGETED

Trafficking ring leaders often choose rural or under-resourced areas like parts of the CSRA to operate. These regions may have:

  • Fewer law enforcement resources
  • Lower public awareness
  • Greater opportunity

Understanding these patterns is critical to both preventing trafficking and ensuring survivors receive the help they need.