Child Sex Trade in Charlotte: Group Developing Technology
CHARLOTTE, NC — Charlotte is one of the top 10 cities in the nation when it comes to sex trafficking.
Now, one group has made the Queen City its headquarters as they work to build technology to stop the predators and pimps.
It’s a disturbing online chase, combing through the internet’s darkest portals to intercept the darkest deals: children for sale for sex.
“We’ve seen ads out there, on popular social media sites, selling kids and people, men, flocking to get to those kids,” said Tim Ballard with Operation Underground Railroad.
In two years, Ballard’s team says it has rescued 500 victims of sex trafficking around the globe.
Now headquartered in Charlotte, they will work with CMPD and federal agents to develop technology software that helps law enforcement target predators exploiting children online.
“We’re tracking bad guys who take kids and rape them, and if we reveal how we’re tracking, them they might be able to evade,” said Ballard.
Child advocates like Hannah Arrowood with Present Age Ministries say each night in the Queen City, there are more than 500 new ads posted online for sex.
“The more information that we can get into the hands of the people who can prosecute and actually stop the people who are doing it, the better its going to be for our community,” said Arrowood.
Arrowood met up with WCCB Charlotte after visiting her second child victim in 48 hours.
Their path to sex slavery typically begins at home. She says they meet a boyfriend online. Then they’re manipulated into being raped for money.
“We’ve heard girls tell us that they have been forced to service eight, 12, 15 or more men a night,” said Arrowood. ”
It’s uncertain if the new software developed at UNC Charlotte’s campus will help police find pimps or the ones paying to rape.
Right now, Operation Underground Railroad says it averages five rescues a month.
“They’re miracle tools, really, the way we’re able to find these guys and pull these kids out of hell,” said Ballard.
