Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is modern day slavery that touches every corner of the globe. This $32 billion criminal enterprise is the fastest growing crime in the world. Human trafficking involves both commercial sexual exploitation and labor servitude. The average age of entry for victims is 12-14 years old.

In Georgia, more than 28,000 men knowingly or unknowingly have sex with prostituted adolescent girls each year[1], and every month, approximately 200-500 girls are commercially sexually exploited throughout the State[2].

Alarmed by these harrowing statistics, Attorney General Sam Olens joined forces with Senator Renee Unterman and Representative Edward Lindsey during his first legislative session as Attorney General to advocate for a stronger human trafficking law in Georgia. HB 200 went into effect on July 1, 2011, and the punishment now fits the crime. HB 200:

• Substantially increases the punishment for human trafficking from a possible one year sentence to a minimum of ten years in prison. If the trafficking causes a minor to commit sex acts by coercion or deception, human traffickers now face 25 years to life in prison, up from maximum sentence of 20 years. Offenders can also be fined up to $100,000.00.
• Takes the important step of no longer allowing the age of consent (16) or the lack of knowledge of the age of the victim to be used as a defense.
• Authorizes asset forfeiture for property derived from or used in trafficking
• Provides training for law enforcement.