A Ministry of the United Church of Christ
End Human Trafficking in Atlanta
The state of Georgia, particularly Atlanta, has become one of the biggest hubs for sex trafficking in the United States. This form of modern-day slavery is the second largest illegal enterprise in the world.
According to the Human Trafficking Institute, six new criminal human trafficking cases from Georgia were filed in federal courts in 2021. Five defendants were convicted. 84 percent (26) of active defendants were charged with sex trafficking, and 16 percent (5) were charged with forced labor. Georgia federal courts ordered 60 percent (three of five) of convicted criminal human trafficking defendants to pay restitution to their victim(s) in 2021. This is an increase after several years of decline in convictions and restitution orders since 2016.
The National Human Trafficking Hotline reports Georgia's hotline signal volume as the 9th highest among the 50 states and Washington D.C for 2021.
Human trafficking denies the value of human life, exposes victims to serious health risks, endangers the mental well-being of victims, and impedes the ability of victims to reach their God-given potential. The Shalom Spiritual Center is dedicated to ending human and sex trafficking in the Atlanta area by advocating for local and national policies that protect homeless and vulnerable individuals. Our advocacy includes spiritual formation, poverty relief and education in coordination with national body of The United Church of Christ. Please donate whatever you can to support this important work.
Get Involved
If you'd like to help The Shalom Spiritual Center in its advocacy and victim support efforts, call us at (404) 780-4275 or send an email to info@shalom-centers.org. Use your skills, talents and passion to enhance our impact. We'd love to hear from you.
Find and join other Georgia-based organizations involved in anti-slavery and human trafficking work:
- Georgia Coalition to End Human Trafficking Resource List
- End Slavery Now Directory of Georgia Organizations
