Human trafficking is the 2nd largest crime worldwide.

It falls just behind drug trafficking and is tied with arms dealing.

It’s often referred to as modern day slavery.

Human trafficking poses massive human rights, public safety, and public health concerns across the nation.

“Many people think human trafficking is something you only see in movies,” Attorney General Alan Wilson said.

“However, it’s happening in communities across South Carolina. We sit between Atlanta and Charlotte, two of the biggest hubs in the nation for trafficking.”

According to the state’s Human Trafficking Task Force annual report for 2018, 13 new cases were charged, with 3 involving minor victims.

There were 64 cases closed last year and 20 human trafficking cases pending in the South Carolina State Courts for 2019.

Richland County has 52% of the pending cases, Horry and Lexington Counties have 10%, and Greenville and Greenwood with 9%. Laurens and Berkley each had 5% of the remaining cases.

SC was the most improved state in the nation last year.

State lawmakers broadened the definition of abuse and neglect within the child welfare system, allowing minor victims of sex trafficking to receive services through the Dept. of Social Services.

Lawmakers also passed tougher laws against those who traffic minor victims.