(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, Chair of the South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force, released the 2024 Annual Report at the State House today. Task Force leadership joined him for the release as well as local, state, and federal law enforcement. The report shares data that details the extent of human trafficking in South Carolina.
In 2024, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division investigated 285 tips that included nearly 400 potential victims. A majority of the tips investigated involved minor victims. SLED’s data also showed that human trafficking investigations were in 40 counties, with only six not reporting a case. The counties with the most investigations in 2024 include Greenville (32), Richland and Charleston (31 each), Horry (22), Lexington (21), Berkeley (18), and Spartanburg (16).
The National Human Trafficking Hotline reported 64 trafficking incidents and a total of 111 likely victims. The top five counties for reported incidents include Greenville, Horry, Richland, Spartanburg, and Charleston. The Hotline noted that the number one location for labor trafficking is in small businesses while the top location for sex trafficking is hotels and motels.
“I am grateful for the collective contributions of many in South Carolina’s anti-human trafficking efforts,” said Attorney General Wilson. “Our state continues to be a model of how best to address this heinous crime.”
In 2024, the General Assembly appropriated $6.5 million for the development of residential programming specifically for minor victims. While the Task Force continues its work to prevent human trafficking, it will launch a grant program in 2025 to develop a minimum of three programs for girls and one program for boys. The program for boys will be the first of its kind in South Carolina.
“The data tells us that traffickers are predominately targeting young people in South Carolina,” Kathryn Moorehead, Director of the Task Force, said. “Soon, we will begin the first phase of ensuring that children and youth who have been victimized get the care that they need.”
Joining Attorney General Alan Wilson today were the First Lady of South Carolina, Peggy McMaster, SLED Chief Mark Keel, State Task Force Subcommittee Chairs, regional task force chairs, nonprofit leaders, and other anti-human trafficking advocates.
To access the annual report, please visit the State Task Force website at humantrafficking.scag.gov. To report an incident or seek victim services, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888. The Hotline is confidential and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
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