Human Trafficking Cases on the Rise Across Beaufort, Hampton, and Jasper

Understanding the Human Trafficking Phenomenon

Did you know that there were four confirmed human trafficking incidents reported in small, rural Hampton County in 2023? And six in Jasper County, another eight in Beaufort County? In all, 24 cases of human trafficking were reported in Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper counties last year, according to the South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force’s Annual Report for 2023. As a disturbing violation of human rights, human trafficking affects every county in South Carolina, irrespective of size and population. The extent of this problem is generally misunderstood and many people are unaware of its signs and indicators.

“Human trafficking is a form of sexual assault and can be a form of child abuse” explained Michelle Fraser of the 14th Circuit Victims Services Center and co-chair of the Lowcountry Human Trafficking Task Force. According to her, instances of commercial exploitation of individuals under the age of 18, in any form, is a manifestation of human trafficking. But the scope of this problem extends to mandatory labor practices, particularly in sectors such as food and beverage, hospitality, agriculture, and service industry.

Human Trafficking Trends in South Carolina

South Carolina has been witnessing an alarming rise in the cases of human trafficking, especially those involving minors. According to S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson in the annual report, “In 2023, we saw an increase in cases reported by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), with the vast majority involving the sex trafficking of minors.” The reported statistics indicate that SLED opened 357 human trafficking cases in 2023, involving 498 reported victims. The majority of these victims are underage females.

Vulnerable Groups Targeted by Traffickers

The S.C. Attorney General’s website has identified several at-risk populations which are commonly targeted by traffickers. These include:

• Foster care youth
• Runaway/homeless youth
• Foreign nationals
• Individuals with disabilities
• Individuals with a history of trauma or abuse
• Individuals with a history of substance abuse and addiction
• LGBTQIA+ individuals
• Low-income individuals

Recognizing Indicators of Human Trafficking

The victims of human trafficking often exhibit certain common behaviors or conditions. These include:

• Living with employer
• Poor living conditions
• Crowded living spaces
• Controlled communication
• Scripted and rehearsed answers
• Signs of physical abuse
• Submissive or fearful behavior
• Being unpaid or paid very little
• Engaging in prostitution below the age of 18

Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking

Significant steps are being taken to tackle the rising cases of human trafficking. An educational curriculum, TraffickProofSC, was launched as a statewide initiative by the Task Force to prevent victimization of youth. Developed in partnership with South Carolina ETV, it provides content targeted at middle and high school students, outlining important aspects of sex trafficking, labor trafficking, and the use of social media by traffickers. A new grant program is also in the works to support organizations that are expanding or developing services for this victim population.

Action by Local Task Force

The Lowcountry Human Trafficking Task Force, one of nine regional task forces, is actively engaged in curbing human trafficking in the counties of Allendale, Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper. Task force co-chairs JoJo Woodward and Michelle Fraser have facilitated several community resource fairs and expos in Hardeeville, featuring representatives from nonprofits, government agencies, healthcare providers, local philanthropic groups, and others involved in anti-trafficking initiatives.

Role of Citizens in Reporting Suspicious Activity

Law enforcement officers encourage citizens to be alert about unusual activities in their local community and report them to the police. Town of Hardeeville Police Chief Sam Woodward said, “For example, if a citizen should see people coming and going out of a residence, possibly nine women coming and going and getting into a van going somewhere, that might not be right.”. The police assure confidentiality in handling such reports and stress that citizens’ cooperation can be instrumental in combatting human trafficking.