n the state of Georgia alone, approximately 250-300 girls are being exploited in prostitution on a monthly basis. There are over 4,000 strippers who work in the 40 adult entertainment clubs in and around the Atlanta area and statistics show there is a clear link between pornography, exotic dancing and prostitution.

According to the 2005 Atlanta Mayor's report, "Hidden in Plain View", there is prostitution related activities around most public schools in Atlanta, GA. Oftentimes these students are being recruited and lured into jobs within the sex industry such as exotic dancing, escort servicing, pornography and prostitution.

Although victims of prostitution come from all different racial and socioeconomic backgrounds, runaways seem to be at high risk for recruitment into the sex industry. Approximately 1.7 million runaway/throwaway episodes occur every year in the U.S., and 90% of runaways become a part of the sex trade industry. This recruitment doesn't take much time or effort; 1 in 3 teens will be lured toward prostitution within 48 hours of leaving home (from Shared Hope International). According to the FBI, "A large percentage of these children [involved in sexual exploitation] left home because of physical, sexual and psychological abuse. They often have low self-esteem are extremely vulnerable. These runaways become a prime target for sex offenders, pornographers, and pimps." This cycle of violence in the lives of most women and teens involved in prostitution shows that prostitution is a continuation of the victim's sexual exploitation, not the beginning. That fact alone should change our societal view of the young girl walking the street at night from a temptress to a victim in need of rescue and restoration.

Another driving force behind Atlanta's sexual exploitation industry lies in the transient nature of our city due to our very own Hartsfield Jackson International Airport. As one of the busiest airports in the world, Hartsfield Jackson draws in many "buyers" of sexual services and exploiters subsequently raise their recruitment levels to meet the demands of the market. Atlanta's consistency in hosting events and conventions draws in more male visitors which create yet another pull for those facilitating "sex-for-sale" venues and opportunities. In 2005, the Criminal Investigative Division of the FBI's Assistant Director, Chris Swecher addressed this issue when he said, "Typically, they [exploited girls] are transported to lucrative venues including cities hosting major sporting or public events."

Unfortunately, those involved in prostitution rings are contributing to an increasing cycle of violence, and prostitution related activities create an unsafe environment for any community surrounding this type of crime. The FBI reports that "These criminal enterprises [sex trafficking rings] typically engage in multiple criminal activities and have extensive supporting networks. For example, approximately 55 percent of street gangs are involved to some degree in prostitution." Prostitution contributes to weapon violence, gang violence, and drug- related violence.

We are faced with an environment here in Atlanta, GA where prostitution and sexual exploitation acts are on the rise. There has become a sort of "sexual exploitation economy", where the demand for illicit sexual acts has increased to such a point that some women and teens are actually being held in sexual slavery. The breakdown of personal identity and lack of encouraging community has left these victims with little to no options. As a result of being victimized in the prostitution community, women and teen girls have lost hope, value, and their own human dignity.