Bill targets sex trafficking in Georgia

By April Hunt

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A bipartisan group of lawmakers has proposed a law to tackle human trafficking and underage prostitution in Georgia.

Enlarge photo

Special to the AJC Atlanta police arrest a suspected "john" during a crackdown on prostitution last fall.

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House Bill 200 is designed to help law enforcement and prosecutors go after people who traffic in people, especially minors, for sexual servitude, said its sponsor, House Majority Whip Edward Lindsey.

Members of both parties fashioned the bill, with the support of Attorney General Sam Olens, the Georgia Commission on Family Violence and prosecutors.

The proposal increases penalties for the crime to those similar to drug trafficking, with offenders facing up to 20 years in prison for human trafficking and 50 years in prison for trafficking in minors.

The bill also treats those in sexual servitude as victims, not criminals, by offering them recovery under the state crime victims fund and an affirmative defense when coming forward.

“Human trafficking for sexual servitude is one of the most serious criminal problems facing our state,” said Lindsey, R-Atlanta. “[The bill is] designed to make it easier to go after this crime and treat the victims with compassion and give an avenue to get out of the trap that was laid for them.”