(Photo Courtesy: Police101.com)
It’s bringing together law enforcement agencies and stakeholders from around the country. They include the Center from Missing and Exploited Children, C.E.A.S.E., the FBI, police from Chatham County and Atlanta along with representatives of Georgia’s Juvenile Justice Fund. The workshop teaches how to identify children at risk, investigative techniques and tips on interviewing victims of child prostitution.
Its estimated 300 girls – ages 12 to 17 -- are prostituted each month in Georgia. That’s according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Melba Robinson from Atlanta’s Center to End Adolescent Sexual Exploitation (C.E.A.S.E.) has this caution for parents.
“It’s not a certain race, certain income bracket. I’ve had young ladies that’s middle class, upper class, $500 thousand dollar home and they have become a victim. They really want a sense of belonging. When they meet up with these predators they offer them all of that.”
State lawmakers have passed a number of laws to help fight child prostitution. The latest, Senate Bill 69, signed earlier this year by Governor Sonny Perdue classifies prostitution of minors as child abuse. Lawmakers are promising the 2010 session will bring even tougher laws designed to prosecute those who prey on children.
