ATLANTA — Channel 2 Action News anchors Justin Farmer and Jovita Moore shed light on a difficult subject -- children forced into the sex trade in the metro area. Hundreds of children are sold for sex every day. Many of the men buying underage girls live in some of Atlanta's wealthiest ZIP codes. The special showed how Georgians can help stop child trafficking and explain the proposed safe harbor constitution amendment that is up for a vote in November.
Channel 2 talked with victims who escaped the sex trade. They described how they were lured or forced into this dangerous world. They also talked about how they escaped and started a new life.
Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies are aggressively going after men who force girls into the sex trade. Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Mark Winne spent weeks going out on undercover raids with authorities. Viewers will see firsthand what goes into catching these offenders.
Then Channel 2 revealed how different groups across the area are working together to end child trafficking. Channel 2's Linda Stouffer shows what groups are doing to create safe havens and make a difference on this issue.
Channel 2 included coverage on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube. Justin Farmer and Jovita Moore participated live on Twitter when the show is aired.
ADDITIONAL INFO:
- Georgia Cares (nonprofit where anyone can report and volunteer to help child sexual exploitation)
- Wellspring Living (nonprofit where victims get help to turn their life around)
- Safe harbor for child exploitation amendment
- Demand Tracker (allows public to enter phone numbers on website to see if someone has called fake ads soliciting children for sex)
- End It Movement (millennial-driven worldwide movement to end human trafficking; started in Atlanta)
- Street Grace (faith-based coalition to end human trafficking)