ATLANTA (March 1, 2017) | Sen. Renee Unterman (R – Buford) and Sen. Gloria Butler (D – Stone Mountain) welcomed representatives from Georgia Cares, Street Grace, the United Way of Greater Atlanta, Out of Darkness, Wellspring Living, and City of Refuge to the Senate yesterday for Sex Trafficking Awareness Day at the Capitol.
“It’s great having these groups here today to raise awareness about sex trafficking in the state of Georgia,” said Sen. Unterman. “This is a journey that started in 2008, and the effect these organizations and the General Assembly have had on raising awareness is evident by the more than 700 people who showed up to support sex trafficking victims at the depot this morning. This solidifies our state’s stance of ‘yes, we know we have a problem, but yes, we’re doing something about it’.”
“I am so happy to be able to recognize and host these great organizations that do so much to advocate on behalf of sex trafficking victims,” said Sen. Butler. “Sex trafficking is a crime that effects all races, genders, socio economic classes and ages. Since 2009, over 1,800 referrals for sex trafficking have been made in 104 counties in Georgia. This isn’t something that just affects the metro Atlanta area, rather this is a severe problem that will require statewide initiatives and help to end.”
Sex trafficking and the underground sex industry increased by 22 percent in Atlanta from 2003 to 2007. Sex Trafficking Awareness Day at the Capitol brings together thousands of advocates in an effort to increase awareness and subsequently help stop sex trafficking in Georgia and around the world.
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For Immediate Release:
March 1, 2017
For Information Contact:
Ines Owens, Acting Director
Ines.owens@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028