Not For Sale: Fighting Sex Trafficking As Super Bowl Nears

EDITOR'S NOTE: As Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta approaches, more attention is being focused on the issue of child sex trafficking. Patch is committed to covering this international plague with a focus on local efforts to combat the crime. This is the first in a series of articles on child sex trafficking as it relates to one of the world's biggest sporting events, which will happen on Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta.

ATLANTA, GA -- An Atlanta-based faith organization dedicated to eradicating child sex trafficking is using technology to help victims of the crime receive help and even prevent them from entering what could be a lifetime of degradation and tragedy. Street Grace, whose mission is to eradicate the commercial sexual exploit of children, launched a program called Transaction Intercept exactly seven weeks ago as of Dec. 17, 2018. The technology uses a unique chatbot that poses as a minor available for sex. The bot, called "Gracie," even knows how to chat like a teenager.

Once a customer is identified, the bot has already collected insights and data about who the customers are and when they’re looking for connections. "Gracie" then sends messages about the risks and consequences of their actions, including trauma and therapy resources to aid them in taking the first step in receiving help. The technology has the power to intercept thousands of messages each day.

The program was developed in a partnership with the Centers for Disease Control, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Kennesaw State University and advertising agency BBDO.

"Gracie is cutting edge," said Bob Rodgers, Street Grace’s president and CEO. "She is learning and has already had thousands of conventions with people calling in to buy sex with minors. She's getting smarter and is already in 13 cities in eight states, intercepting and disturbing transactions." Street Grace said the bot has successfully disrupted over 15,000 transactions.

The problem of child sex trafficking is gaining more attention in Atlanta with the approach of Super Bowl LIII on Feb. 3 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. But Rodgers points out the game alone isn't solely responsible for the crime.

"The Super Bowl doesn't cause sex trafficking," Rodgers said. "Conferences and conventions, like so many we have in Atlanta, don't cause sex trafficking. It is already occurring in every metro Atlanta county and it will still be happening when the Super Bowl leaves. The Super Bowl brings millions of people into the city and sex trafficking will ebb and flow with the event, just like business at restaurants, bars and adult establishments."

Rodgers brings more than 30 years of corporate and nonprofit leadership experience to Street Grace's mission. The organization presents information about domestic minor sex trafficking to more than 70,000 people annually, ranging from students and educators to government workers and corporations.

Each year, Street Grace reaches nearly 60,000 youth under age 18 with a comprehensive curriculum and trainings covering many topics that parents, schools and youth groups do not generally feel comfortable discussing. In 2018, Street Grace reached over 12,000 Georgians through awareness events surrounding commercial exploitation of children. Street Grace also trains more than 2,000 ministry and youth leaders annually to identify and prevent sex slavery.

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