Study Shows Sex Trafficking in West TN
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We have shocking statistics about sex trafficking of women and children right here in West Tennessee. The TBI just released a study, Wednesday that shows just how prevalent it is across the volunteer state. The study was done to identify just how big of a state-wide problem sex trafficking is and what can be done about it. The results even surprised Madison County Sheriff, David Woolfork. If you think sex slavery does not happen in your own backyard, you are sadly mistaken. Lieutenant Chip Holland, with the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, says, “Some of the misconceptions is that it doesn’t happen.” Nearly the whole state is plagued by this problem. About 86 percent of the counties say they have investigated at least one human sex trafficking case over the last 24 months. And Madison County is no exception. Lt. Holland, adds, “To know that it is that widespread throughout the state, is a pretty interesting fact.” Human sex trafficking, as defined by the TBI, is the slavery of women and children, forced to perform various sex acts for money, which is handed over to their captor. Lt. Holland, adds, “We have had traffickers bring girls out of Memphis, that we’ve caught.” The TBI says one in four children who runaway from home are being lured into sex slavery within 48 hours. They also say the average age of children entering into this dangerous business is 13. Sheriff Woolfork, adds, “I think the age was a little surprising to me, that they would target kids at such an early age.” Some problem areas, deputies say, are the interstate and the east Jackson area. They are keeping a close eye on them, and say they have no problem cuffing these criminals, in order to prevent children from becoming a heinous statistic. Sheriff Woolfork says his officers have been trained in detecting and prosecuting these crimes. He says he is happy the study was done, and thinks it is definitely an eye-opener.
