Sex Trafficking Task Force Holds First Meeting

ATLANTA, GA — Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts held the first meeting of his Sex Trafficking Task Force on Tuesday.

The task force brought 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.

“After meeting with a survivor, now advocate, of the commercial sex trade and interviewing her on my show, 'The Chairman’s Circle,' I am more compelled than ever to do all that we can to abate the growth of this criminal activity in our county, and direct victims to the resources they need to save their lives,” Pitts said in a statement.

The commission chairman went on to say the task force's plan is to draw attention to commercial sex trafficking across all demographics, in schools and in the public and private sectors and to "put tactical measures in place so that we can reach potential victims, current victims, and buyers of children.”

(For more news lke this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here)

Pitts noted he changed the name of the task force after meeting with group members and "deciding to focus on commercial sex trafficking side of the human trafficking." In this way, Fulton County and its stakeholders and partners can play a more apt role in making real change, he added.

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.

Members of the task force include:

• Kenyette Tisha Barnes, Lobbyist
• Leslie Grant, Board Member, Atlanta Public Schools
• Erica Pines, Assistant Director of the Department of City Planning, city of Atlanta
• Karen Varrone, Exponation
• Karlise Yvette Grier, Executive Director, Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism
• BJ Bernstein, Attorney at Law and Mediator, The Bernstein Firm, P.C.
• Omotayo Alli, Chief Administrative Officer, Fulton County Juvenile Court
• Pamela Carn, Coordinator, Interfaith Children's Movement
• Shawn Smash Jett, Activist, Wellspring Living, Street Grace
• Irina Khasin, Human Trafficking, Fulton County DA
• Earnelle Winfrey, Assistant District Attorney, Fulton County DA
• Catherine Dillard, Investigator, Fulton County DA
• Dave McCleary, World Vice Chair, Rotary Action Group Against Slavery, Rotary International
• Dr. RJ Verwayne, Psychologist, Standard of Care
• Jennifer Swain, ED, Youth Spark
• Taryn Bowman, Business Owner
• Dr. Kendra Taylor, President/CEO, KEYfficiencies
• Sonja Tonpea, Stewart's Village
• Dorsey Jones, Case Manager, Youth Spark
• Tom Gosselin, Sustainability Director, DNV GL
• Rick Westbrook, Executive Director, Lost and Found
• Reiko Ward, Social Services Program Manager, Juvenile Court

“The Chairman’s Circle” will air its episode on sex trafficking on FGTV April 22-28, 2018. Check your local listings to find the channel for the station.

Image via Shutterstock