S.T.O.P. in the News
Group Wants Investigation of Possible Sex Trafficking
June 30, 2008
A group of Mercer University students wants to stop what it calls human trafficking in Macon and Bibb County.
Just last week, authorities arrested 13 women at eight massage parlors on charges related to prostitution. The students say at least some women are being forced to work at those massage parlors.
"Apparently Macon has become a sunny place for some shady operations," said city councilwoman Nancy White, as she voiced concerns about massage parlors and how they affect the city's reputation. "I really think that those of us who are proud of Macon don't want to be known as a destination for this kind of spa."
Some Mercer students want to put an end to what they call Macon's human trafficking problem. They argue that women working in massage parlors often are being held against their will.
The students created a group called STOP, or Sex-Trafficking Opposition Project, last April. After last week's raids, interim president, Don Hatton, says his group wants to know more about what goes on there.
"I think most people have some sinking feeling that something wrong is going on in these spas whether they think it's simply prostitution or just some shady business. We're trying to get past that," said Hatton.
STOP members want people to look past the alleged prostitution to determine whether there are other violations like human-trafficking.
Andrew Silver, Mercer University professor and faculty member of STOP, says the group originated from discussions in his class. He'd like to see a more thorough investigation.
"There has to be a different way that we approach trafficking from traditional prostitution," said Silver.
"We need to try and figure out why they're there, and why this keeps happening over and over, why Macon?" said Hatton.
Tuesday night, STOP members will take their concerns to Macon City Council. They plan to ask council members to consider alleged human trafficking while they are reviewing Macon's massage parlor situation.
The Macon Police Department says it has not found evidence of human trafficking in last week's massage parlor arrests.
But the Bibb County Sheriff's Office says human trafficking has not been ruled out at this time.
The council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at Macon City Hall. The meeting is open to the public.
Source: http://www.13wmaz.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080630/NEWS01/80630030
Local Group Speaks Out About Sex Slavery
Written by Coreen Savitski Monday, 30 June 2008
A local group makes serious accusations today. They believe some local businesses are using women as sex slaves, making them work to pay off a never ending debt. Today, a group is bringing sex slavery in Middle Georgia to the forefront. It comes after local authorities announced Friday, they've arrested 13 women accused of prostitution at local massage parlors. The anti-sex trafficking group told us today, it's time to take a stand.
25,000 women are trafficked into the United States every year. The Sex Trafficking Opposition Project, made up of Mercer students and community partners, says one of the hubs is Macon.
"So my students began to look around and we learned a little bit about trafficking and they realized that there were women who were operating as sex slaves within a mile of the campus, says Andrew Silver, Mercer University English Professor and S.T.O.P. member.
"It's sex slavery, it's slavery, it's people that are forced to commit sexual acts or to be involved in a sexual situation against their will," says Mercer student, Don Hatton, with S.T.O.P.
Once these women are in the United States, they often have no way out and know nothing different than to obey orders.
"We're concerned for the women, it's in some cases not a victimless crime, in many cases these are women who've been duped, lured here, explains, Women's Studies Professor, Dr. Mary Alice Morgan, with S.T.O.P.
The group doesn't believe shutting down massage parlors and spas is the answer.
"If we shut down the spas now, if we just bust them to shut them down, yah know, get our pitch forks out and drive them out of Macon it's going to pop up somewhere else," explains Hatton.
S.T.O.P. believes sex slaves are moved around, in organized groups. It wants to get local governments involved in creating an anti-trafficking task force.
Julie Steele: how do we help bring people out of that kind of slavery and how do we make sure that macon is not an attractive community for these kinds of businesses, says the Safe House and Crisis Line executive director, Julie Steele, S.T.O.P. member.
The local anti-trafficking groups says sex slavery is only on the rise, and they intend to put a S.T.O.P. to it.
The Macon Police Department and the Bibb County Sheriff's Office say last week's busts are part of an ongoing investigation. Members of S.T.O.P. say help is available for the women who may feel trapped and helpless.
Source: http://www.wmgt.com//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1574&Itemid=103
