Human Trafficking: Georgia's Response to an International Problem

Walker Room, Dean Rusk Hall

In October 2014, Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens announced the appointment of a dedicated human trafficking prosecutor. The scale and horrific consequences of human trafficking have prompted international concern, with the United States ratifying the UN Trafficking Protocol (supplementing the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime) in 2005. At the same time, domestic sex trafficking often involved children who have never crossed state lines. While federal law controls important components of assisting victims of human trafficking, the prevention and punishment of human trafficking requires the commitment of state resources and the enforcement of state laws. Georgia has tough laws and an expressed commitment to aiding victims. This panel discussed both the prosecution of traffickers and the many legal or social service issues involved in assisting victims.