New numbers on the scourge of human trafficking | News | postandcourier.com

The South Carolina Attorney General's Office, once again released annual numbers on human trafficking across the state. The agency is one of several that make up the South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force. The task force consists of numerous agencies and advocacy groups all over the state.

Once again the news is not good when it comes to trafficking across South Carolina. The only good news really, is that a task force exists to battle the issue. The new report shows a disturbing rise in sex trafficking. The data also shows that it's often a miss when prosecutors try to convict those arrested for the crime.

As the group did the week before in Dorchester County, on Jan. 9, the Tri-County Human Trafficking Task Force, that includes local law enforcement, advocacy and faith based groups and local prosecutors were honored with a proclamation by the Berkeley County Council.

The honor is part of a series of events held in January to spotlight Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Council stating, in part, that Berkeley County is committed to promoting the well-being of all its residents. And it's important to strengthen efforts toward the elimination of human trafficking.

Based on the new numbers from the AG's office, eliminating human trafficking is a tall order. South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, Chair of the South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force, released the 2022 Annual Report at the State House on Jan. 9.

The numbers show that there has been 458 percent increase in labor trafficking. Locally Berkeley and Charleston Counties has a share. Berkeley has three trafficking cases pending in court and Charleston had 14 incidents in 2022.

Also the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division reports the agency supported 416 cases involving human trafficking in the state in 2022. The cases included 399 minor victims, the report showed. There was also a 128 percent increase in calls the hotline reporting suspected incidences.

It's been 10-years since the state task force began and it's about the climb. The force is aimed at getting stronger every year with things like new awareness campaigns, legislative avenues and public involvement.

“It's public private partnerships it's all about coordinating the governmental and non-profit partners while engaging the community,” said Brooke Burris, Chair for the local Tri-County Human Trafficking Task Force in a recent interview.

The report showed that statewide the task force has grown to have close to 800 members working in various capacities.

“Members of the State Task Force continue to bring awareness of human trafficking in communities across our state,” Kathryn Moorehead, Director of the Task Force, said upon the release of the report. “In 2023, we will be rolling out new initiatives including increased labor trafficking awareness campaigns.”

But the courts are another issue. The AG's office is tasked with prosecuting all of the cases and due to staffing issues and the murky nature of the crimes making charges stick is difficult.

The report shows in 2022, 23 different defendants had charges for human trafficking, some with more than one charge, totaling 34 charges of human trafficking in the South Carolina.

One defendant pled guilty in 2022 to three charges of human trafficking, while 19 charges were dismissed in exchange for a plea. The defendant was sentenced to five years in prison, credited for serving 185 days; and the remainder suspended to probation for three years, the report showed.

The first jury trial involving human trafficking of a minor in state court resulted in a conviction in Lancaster County that resulted in a life sentence. The reported stated that in total 32 cases were closed in 2022, 28 were dismissals.

“The work is not finished, but our defenses against this horrendous crime are getting stronger every day, and we're committed to the fight,” said Attorney General Alan Wilson after releasing the report.

The message from all of those involved investigating trafficking is to pay attention to what kids are doing online. And investigate their social media behavior and who they are chatting with. Teens with certain vulnerabilities can easily be coerced and victimized.

The HTTF reports that traffickers will take time to build trust as a cost of doing business. Buying gifts or going on trips with a potential victim is an investment that will eventually pay off.

To report an incident or seek victim services, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888. The Hotline is confidential and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.