Tharros Place hosts human trafficking awareness meeting, addressing victims and at-risk youth in our communities

SPRINGFIELD, Ga. (WTOC) - According to a local non-profit, Tharros Place, as many as 1.5 million children are human trafficking victims, and they want to see that stop.

Savannah is a city, and Chatham County as a whole is a place where it unfortunately happens.

Tharros’ leadership said it’s because of a high poverty rate, international port access, and major interstates like I-95 that contribute to the issue.

On Thursday, they partnered with Effingham County Community Connection to host the Fall Human Trafficking Stakeholder Meeting featuring a presentation called “Understanding Human Trafficking in Our Community.”

Tharros Place Executive Director Julie Wade said, “I think there is a myth that human trafficking only happens in urban areas, and we know that it happens across county lines and throughout communities – rural and urban. So it’s really to bring awareness. Does it look a little different? Maybe. Is it the same victimization for these young people? Absolutely.”

According to Wade, Chatham County ranks between the 4th and 6th in the state for reported sex trafficking cases of minors.

They say not to think of human trafficking as it’s portrayed in movies with a big white van or an innocent girl pumping gas getting taken, or the movie “Taken,” but think of it from a child’s perspective, where their personality changes dramatically.

That child somehow has a lot of money in their pockets when they normally don’t, or their grades start to slip when they’re normally always focused in the classroom.

Human trafficking is described as the exploitation of another person for sex, labor, or services.

LaToya Scott, Residential Director at Tharros Place, said, “Everyone may not be a confirmed victim of experiencing sex trafficking in our area, but they may be high-risk, so they are in vulnerable areas in vulnerable populations.”

Scott said the people in the room have goals and values alike to stop the issue from growing even more.

“I know there are different points of view and perspectives when it comes down to trafficking, but in order to combat this horrendous crime. It’s very important that we all align our missions together,” she said.

LEARN MORE: What you need to know about human trafficking

Tharros Place is coming up on its second anniversary, operating a 12-bed residential home to address underlying trauma and cultivate a culture of courage for girls ages 12 to 17.

Their presentation reported that human trafficking happening across the world generates billions of dollars every year.