Human Sex Trafficking Panel Hosted By '100 Black Women-DeKalb'

DECATUR, GA — An intimate audience of women, with a few men sprinkled across the room, came together Thursday evening to hear panelists discuss the issue of human sex trafficking in DeKalb County and learn how they can be a part of the solution. The National Coalition of 100 Black Women Decatur-DeKalb Chapter organized the panel, "Igniting a Social Change," to spread awareness on the issue that has become a trending topic across the country.

The discussion took place at Bethune Middle School, 5200 Covington Hwy at 6 p.m. Panelists included Cindy Thomas, a former Lithonia mayoral candidate, Officer Greg Webb, master police officer for DeKalb County Justice System, and Margie Gill, executive director of Tabitha's House Inc., which is a nonprofit that provides resources to sex trafficking victims. The event was moderated by Katerina Taylor, the executive director of WorkSource Atlanta.

Gill spoke candidly to attendees when asked how can they identify victims.

“This issue is vital to our community,” she said. “The youngest we’ve seen at Tabitha’s House has been five-years-old so that lets us know that it’s not just the 17 to 24-year-old girls you consider ‘hot and fast.’ As adults we are so quick to judge, but maybe those are the only clothes that child has.”

She went on to share that each victim's story is unique and oftentimes in the African American community, young girls and women don't see any other option so stay in the life.

"Sometimes children go to them because their basic needs are finally being met," she said.

When it comes to the buyers or traffickers, Gill said it could be anyone.

“There’s no face, no specific description...it doesn’t discriminate by race, gender or socio-economic background,” she said.

This discussion was needed, Gill told Patch, adding that it’s one that needs to be had in the community and in homes.

“Tonight was a good night for this chapter to start the conversation about human sex trafficking because it’s always time to talk about it. It’s never too late, it’s never too early,” she said.

When asked how DeKalb County compares to other metro Atlanta counties, Gill said there’s no comparison.

“When those numbers come in for Atlanta, it’s inclusive of DeKalb County,” she said. “DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Cobb, all of those, everybody, there is no exempt county.”

One good thing she noted, however, is that DeKalb County is taking the right steps in addressing the issue, crediting DeKalb County District 5 Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson and District Attorney Sherry Boston, among others for being proactive in dismantling the egregious criminal activity.

“They’re doing something to make a difference in the community and we appreciate it,” said Gill.

Human sex trafficking is a $32 billion industry in the United States, she said, with traffickers in Atlanta making easily up to $3,200 a week.

“You can sell a person over and over again, but you can only sell a drug or gun one time,” she told Patch. “So the younger a person, the more money the pimps make, and that’s why they target children.”

Thomas said she was grateful that the Decatur-DeKalb Chapter of 100 Black Women organized the event, stressing that human sex trafficking is a “hot topic” that’s affecting women and girls right in the community. This gathering was a necessary first step towards addressing the problem that’s plaguing DeKalb County.

She hopes that attendees left with two things.

“The call to action I would put on everyone is be the change you want to see,” Thomas said. “Take time to reflect on something you find yourself constantly complaining about, and by the end of the year take at least one step toward actually helping that problem to be solved.”

She also encourages people to bring a guest with them when attending forums such as this one.

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and organizations such as Tabitha’s House will be hosting several events and trainings for people in the community.

Human sex trafficking was the topic of the evening, but panelists also discussed ways that community members can build trust with law enforcement, as well as proposed policies that could affect DeKalb County residents in 2020, and more funding for schools in the county.