Campaign Launched To Fight Sex Trafficking In Fulton County

ATLANTA, GA — Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts will roll out a campaign to fight sex trafficking in the county. This initiative stems from Pitts's Task Force on Sex Trafficking, and will include two series of public service announcements.

The first ads will target adult males, who are the primary population paying for sex with children and young adults. The ads were designed through a pro bono partnership with Narrative Content Group, led by CEO Joel Babbitt.

“Joel immediately responded when we sought pro bono support to fight this crisis in Fulton County,” Pitts said in a statement. “He understands the critical need for greater awareness of this issue, and put his talented team to work.”

The ads will initially air on Fulton County Government Television and on social media channels. Discussions are underway to secure additional media partners for the campaign.

Pitts is also working with other partners for a second series, with a primary audience of children and teens who are already engaged in sex trafficking, or are at risk for becoming involved with selling sex for money.

“Girls and boys in Fulton County are being bought and traded in our backyards,” said Pitts. “I am so thankful for the talented members of our creative community are lending their time, talent and creativity to fight for these young people.”

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Pitts' task force held its first meeting last month, bringing to the table some of the actively engaged legal, judicial, nonprofit and activists leaders from around the metro Atlanta area to continue the fight against human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.

The Sex Trafficking Task Force is a boots-on-the-ground effort ready to encourage enforcement of the laws already on the books, make policy recommendations, offer access to services and educate the community at-large on an issue that affects the good health and welfare of our entire community.

Metro Atlanta is one of the leading sites in the nation for sex trafficking, with Fulton County at the epicenter of the crisis. Just last week, Sandy Springs police were conducting an investigation into prostitution where a suspect allegedly brought a girl under the age of 18 to engage in sexual conduct at the hotel. The suspect, who crashed into two police cars while trying to evade arrest, was shot by an officer with the police department.

He was transported to an area hospital where he was listed in stable condition. The suspect, identified as 22-year-old Jaquan Barnes, was charged by Sandy Springs police with human trafficking, aggravated assault on a police officer, felony obstruction, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. He was also wanted by police in South Carolina on attempted murder and probation violation for burglary charges.

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