Members of the Georgia State Assembly had their eyes opened, Feb. 1, to the problems presented with human trafficking when they participated in a bus tour organized by Tim Echols, an elected official serving on the Public Service Commission. Also, on the tour bus were community leaders, law enforcement, members of organizations fighting Human Trafficking, and survivors.

Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery, and involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion of human beings for sexual exploitation. Those being trafficked include young children and teenagers. It often occurs around international travel hubs such as Georgia’s interstate highways and Atlanta’s International Airport being the busiest in the world. Legislators were involved to experience the situation and witness the gravity of human trafficking as they seek solutions to help all young people through possible legislation.

The Unholy Tour traveled around local destinations in downtown Atlanta where human trafficking is prevalent. Speakers joined the tour to further educate legislators of organizations that are currently working to stop and rescue young, vulnerable boys and girls. Some of these organizations are www.streetgrace.org, www.YouthSpark.org, and www.4Sarah.net. 4Sarah is a 501c3 Nonprofit Faith-Based tax exempt organization whose mission is to empower change in the life direction of women and girls that work in the sex industry.

Our children are being sexually exploited. “One hundred thousand, to 300,000 American children are at risk of being victimized through prostitution each year.” (Shared Hope International) For further information contact the above websites. Please get involved.

“If you see something, say something.”

Representative John Deffenbaugh

District 1

Georgia House of Representatives