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Shay Vaughn
Mrs. DeBock
English 4 Honors
March 18, 2015
Sex Trafficking Threatens Myrtle Beach
Sex Trafficking is not only a global problem, but also a local problem. Over the past
decade, the Myrtle Beach area has fallen victim to the sex trafficking industry. Trafficking is a
problem we are facing right here, right now. For it to be happening here locally is something we
should fear. Here, in our own sandbox, sex trafficking is becoming a major threat and is
continuing to increase.
On a global scale, according to Noble, it is estimated over seven hundred thousand
people fall victim to trafficking each year, in Myrtle Beach, the number of victims have not been
recorded. The crime is immensely hidden from society. Sex Trafficking is a crime that works
underground. Many are not aware that it is even happening, but we are aware that trafficking is
taking place in Myrtle Beach. According to Phil Nobles article Slavery in S.C. Today, Polaris
Project resource center ranked South Carolina twenty-eighth in the nation with 273 calls to the
Human Trafficking Hotline. Myrtle Beach topped the chart with 52 calls to the trafficking
hotline. For Myrtle Beach to have high numbers such as these, trafficking is occurring, more than
we are aware, along the Grand Strand. Those who called the hotlines are not the only victims,
there are several more out there that are not fortunate enough to reach a phone. According to
Netzel, not only is Myrtle Beach a heavy trafficking area, Charleston, Greenville and Columbia
are also heavily affected by trafficking.

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Myrtle Beach is a heavily populated area known to tourist. During the summer months,
people flock to the sandy beaches with their friends and family. This makes Myrtle Beach a
perfect target for traffickers and pimps to find new victims to force into sex slavery. Although the
average age traffickers look for is fourteen, those who come to Myrtle Beach look for an older
crowd. Most of the time traffickers, in Myrtle Beach, are on the prowl for young adults, ages
sixteen to twenty-five. These girls are most commonly found walking the Boulevard late at night,
on beaches, and walking the streets alone. Other victims are often taken from their workplaces,
according to Netzel, Victims of labor trafficking who have been identified in the United States
include domestic servants, restaurant staff, hotel employees, factory workers and agricultural
laborers. (Netzel 1). Not only is taking the girls easy, so is transporting them from state to state.
According to Kimberly Moores article, because Myrtle Beach is close to major corridors, like I95, it makes it easy for traffickers to transport victims. Once a girl becomes a victim to sex
trafficking, she can contract many types of diseases such as AIDS. Victims are also beaten,
raped, murdered, exploited and tortured. For these women and children, there is no way out
unless, the crime is brought out from the shadows and put to a stop.
As sex trafficking increases in South Carolina, efforts to stop it are being put into effect.
In Myrtle Beach, many systems have been put together in efforts to stop trafficking such as, the
Eastern Carolina Coalition against Human Trafficking. According to Moore, the network was
founded by Kelly Bagwell and Barbara Cirrincione in efforts to put an end to the trafficking
market by putting together victim kits and basic necessities for victims who are found. Small
effort groups are bringing trafficking to the attention of law enforcement, gaining assistance to
fight the crime. Along the Grand Strand, according to Moore, the Myrtle Beach police
department and Conway police department are spending time in training to be able to identify

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victims and their traffickers. Sex trafficking is a crime that ties to drug dealing, gang activity as
well as prostitution. The problem law enforcement faces is deciphering those who willingly
commit to crimes, and those that are forced into the crime. The South Carolina government has
also taken interest in dealing with the issue of sex trafficking along the Grand Strand, by passing
laws. With these efforts being put in place, it is the societys duty to be on the lookout for
possible traffickers and victims of human trafficking. Signs to look for in a victim are as
followed; bruising, abuse, restraint, dependency, always with a male figure, suspicious tattoos,
malnourishment, in need of medical care, or deprived of sleep. If any of these signs are spotted, a
person should contact law enforcement immediately.
Sex trafficking has become a major threat to Myrtle Beach and is continuing to increase.
This is a dangerous crime and society needs to be aware that it is happening in their own
backyard. Always be aware of surrounding areas, and look for signs of women who may be
victim to the sex trafficking industry. Anyone can fall victim to this industry, and if taken, may
never return. With easy access to major highways, boats, and other means of transportation in
Myrtle Beach, Trafficking of persons is made easy. It is the citizens of Myrtle Beach that need to
band together against sex trafficking to decrease the demand of this crime throughout the Grand
Strand, and possibly on a global scale.

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Works Cited
Moore, Kimberly. "Local Group Fights Underground Sex and Labor Trade." The Sun News.
MyrtleBeachOnline.com. N.p., 3 Mar. 2011. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
Netzel, Natalie. "Human Trafficking Hits Close to Home in S.C." Newberry Observer (SC)
14 Oct.2013: Points of View Reference Center. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
Noble, Phil. "Slavery in S.C. Today." Savannahnow.com. N.p., 20 June 2014. Web. 12 Mar
2015