New Report Shows Children Make Up Vast Majority of Human Trafficking Victims in South Carolina

BY PSA NEWSROOM STAFF

Community Meeting Highlights Scope of Crisis as Task Force Unveils 2025 Findings

ORANGEBURG, S.C. — As families and community leaders gathered in Orangeburg this week, sobering new data from the 2025 South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force Annual Report underscored a growing crisis: nearly three-quarters of human trafficking victims identified in the state last year were minors.

Presented during a community meeting led by the state task force, the data reflects findings from investigations by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and related agencies. According to the 2025 report, 72 percent of victims were under 18, a figure that starkly illustrates the vulnerability of children to exploitation in communities across the state. 

“Human trafficking is not a challenge any single agency can solve alone,” South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, who chairs the task force, said in announcing the report. “Through the leadership of the State Task Force and the dedication of our partners, South Carolina remains a model on how to best address this crime.” 

Experts say traffickers often groom children and teens through manipulation, coercion and deception — tactics that make prevention education and community awareness critical.

Survivors and advocates have emphasized that behind every statistic is a human being whose life has been irrevocably impacted. “A lot of times we take on the mentality like I chose this, this is my fault,” survivor Heather Pagan, who now works with Lighthouse for Life, told local reporters about her own trafficking experience that spanned nearly two decades. “Helping them understand where this started and what they can do from there is so vitally important.” 

Officials stressed the importance of reporting suspected cases immediately and noted that services for victims and families are available both locally and nationally.

Key Resources for Victims, Survivors and Families

Immediate and National Assistance

• • National Human Trafficking Hotline — Call 1-888-373-7888 or text “BEFREE” (233733) for confidential, 24/7 support from trained advocates and connection to local services. 

• • Online Help & Chat — Options available through the National Human Trafficking Hotline website for live chat and reporting. 

State and Local Services (South Carolina)

• • South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force — Coordinated state efforts to investigate trafficking and connect victims with services, training and prevention education. Contact info and support details available via the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office. 

• • Victim/Survivor Services (SCAG) — Directory of trauma-informed support including local Children’s Advocacy Centers, hospital SAFE programs, and law enforcement advocacy services through the South Carolina Attorney General’s office. 

Local Nonprofits & Support Organizations

• • Lighthouse for Life (Columbia & Midlands) — A nonprofit committed to eradicating human trafficking, providing community education, survivor support programs, and long-term residential care for minor survivors through its Karis Home program. Office in Columbia, S.C.
    
    • • Website: https://lighthouseforlife.org/ 

• • Pathways to Healing (Midlands) — Advocacy and support services for survivors of sexual violence and trauma with resources for those affected by exploitation. 

• • Dickerson Children’s Advocacy Center — Provides a child-focused setting for forensic interviews, advocacy and healing services for abused children. 

Additional National and Educational Resources

• • Polaris Project — National nonprofit organization operating the hotline and offering training, awareness resources and local referral support. 

• • South Carolina Resource Listings & Educational Materials — Additional listings and prevention guides available through state coalitions and community networks. 

If you suspect someone is in immediate danger, call 911 right away.