ATL marks Human Trafficking Awareness Month, signs pledge to protect children from exploitation

Leaders gather in the fight against modern-day slavery for ATL’s Human Trafficking Awareness press conference. From left to right: youthSpark Executive Director Alex Trouteaud, United States Attorney John Horn, Clayton County District Attorney Tracy Lawson, Carol Smolenski, Executive Director, ECPAT-USA, Airport General Manager Roosevelt Council, Jr., State of Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr and Atlanta City Council Member C.T. Martin.

By Anika Robertson
Senior Editor/Assistant Public Relations Manager

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is marking it with a series of events to inform the public about its dangers, warning signs and heavy toll.

“Every year, men, women and children fall prey to human trafficking, which is believed to be the third largest criminal activity in the world,” Airport General Manager Roosevelt Council, Jr. told dozens of onlookers Tuesday, Jan. 10 at a press conference. “These victims are weakened, silenced and trapped in many situations … this is why in addition to encouraging our employees to be vigilant, we’re also asking our guests, the 101 million people who pass through our Airport each year, to be aware of suspicious activities.”

Council was joined by Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, U.S. Attorney John Horn, Clayton County District Attorney Tracy Lawson, ECPAT-USA Executive Director Carol Smolenski, and other federal, state and local law enforcement officials and outreach organizations.

Also Tuesday, ATL became the first airport in the world to sign the Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct, a document outlining ATL’s pledge to stamp out the sexual exploitation of children.

During the event, Horn stressed collaboration to fight human trafficking, a form of modern-day slavery that presents unique challenges to law enforcement, as victims are often reluctant or afraid to seek help.

“The prosecutions and the hard work of the organizations [against human trafficking] have collectively raised the consciousness and the awareness of the public to this problem,” Horn said. “Working together, we will have a positive impact.”

During his remarks, Carr underlined the state’s progress with youth victims under local nonprofit Georgia Cares. In 2016, 469 child victims were served by Georgia Cares. Since 2009, there have been more than 1,800 referrals for domestic minor sex trafficking from 102 counties, he said.

“After receiving Georgia Care services, 75 percent did not return to the life,” he said. “As Georgia’s economy continues to flourish and we accept new visitors from around the world for large-scale events like the Super Bowl, the Final Four and the College Football National Championship, we must continue to make it known that we will not accept this type of behavior.”

National Human Trafficking Awareness Month was established by presidential decree in 2010 and officially proclaimed National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch recently released a National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking, which outlines what is being done for survivors and offenders.
“We have made great strides, but we still have a long way to go in the fight to end human trafficking,” Carr said. “One child who is safe from a life of bondage makes it all worth the effort.”

Hartsfield-Jackson will hold two additional events this month to call attention to human trafficking. A roundtable discussion with Airport stakeholders will take place Jan. 18 and a high school community outreach forum is set for Jan. 25.