Statewide Partnership Addresses Human Trafficking in Tennessee

Republican lawmakers joined law enforcement officials from across the state this week to address the issue of human trafficking in Tennessee. In addition, the Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga, the Women’s Fund of Middle Tennessee, and the Women’s Fund of Greater Memphis officially launched a public campaign to increase awareness and offer resources to prevent human trafficking statewide.

Present at the event were Mark Gwyn – Director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Alberto Gonzales – Former United States Attorney General, as well as various Republican lawmakers from the Tennessee House of Representatives and Senate.

In 2010, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation conducted a study regarding human sex trafficking in Tennessee. The results of the study found trafficking and sex slavery in Tennessee is more common than previously known. The report cited that one in four children who run away from home are approached for commercial sexual exploitation within 48 hours of running away. In addition, the average age of a sex trafficking victim is 13, according to the study.

By working together with various anti-trafficking groups in the state, lawmakers hope they will be able to shine a spotlight on the disturbing crime trend of sex slavery and human trafficking in Tennessee.