S.C. releases annual human trafficking task force report
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson hosted a news conference Monday morning to discuss an annual report on human trafficking.
The report included information on what the state is doing to prevent and respond to human trafficking based on numerous data sources, including the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, state courts and the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
Wilson was ed for the release by human trafficking task force leadership and local, state, and federal law enforcement.
“The data tells us that traffickers are predominately targeting young people in South Carolina,” Kathryn Moorehead, director of the task force, said in a news release.
“Soon, we will begin the first phase of ensuring that children and youth who have been victimized get the care that they need,” she said.
Wilson said SLED investigated over 200 tips that included hundreds of potential victims. He said a majority of the tips that were investigated involved minor victims.
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Data from SLED showed human trafficking investigations were in 40 counties including Greenville (32), Richland and Charleston (31 each), Horry (22), Lexington (21), Berkeley (18), and Spartanburg (16). The top five counties for reported incidents include Greenville, Horry, Richland, Spartanburg, and Charleston, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
During the press conference, Wilson said the top location for sex trafficking is hotels and motels.
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The National Human Trafficking Hotline reported 64 trafficking incidents and a total of 111 likely victims.
Wilson announced the General Assembly appropriated $6.5 million for the development of residential programming specifically for minor victims this year.
The task force will launch a grant program in 2025 to develop a minimum of three programs for girls and one program for boys.
To access the annual report, please visit the State Task Force website here. Those wanting to report an incident or seek victim services can call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888.
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