Sex trafficking, which encompasses everything from small-town street prostitution to international smuggling rings, is on the rise, both in Georgia and across the nation. Stories about the warning signs and how to prevent it abound on social media sites like TikTok. Reporter-producer Allison Salerno has the story. Please note that this story, which lasts about seven minutes, will be disturbing to some listeners.
Women warning women about sex traffickers stalking them. And then there are men on TikTok warning women about traffickers putting zip ties or tee shirts on cars to mark potential victims. He says he knows who put those zip ties on: Sex traffickers and people who steal women.
And thousands of young adults think these stories are real. Costello is 19, and a sophomore at the University of Georgia. She said the TikTok stories frightened her. Elyssa Schroeder is a Ph. Schroeder says these TikTok stories perpetuate myths. Yes, sex trafficking is real - and growing. Instead, traffickers target people without community or family connections. They would not abduct or signal somebody for abduction who was really well integrated into a community that would be looking for them afterwards.
It is an organized business. Kasandra Dodd is a licensed clinical social worker and a doctoral student in the School of Social Work. She worked for 16 years in child welfare in Washington, DC.
Many of her clients were teen moms - and victims of sex traffickers. She agrees with Schroeder. And I worked with all clients throughout my year career, but predominantly with, young girls who were being trafficked.
