“George Clooney’s Documentary, “Playground,” premieres in Atlanta on October 20, 2009” Mr. Clooney and his group produced this film in cooperation with the Juvenile Justice Fund of Atlanta.
This organization works in connection with a group called, “A Future – Not A Past.” in an effort to end child prostitution and sexual abuse in adolescent girls. And to help restore young victims to a path of healing; and helping them to look to the future not dwelling on what happened to them in the past.
Governor Perdue signed Senate Bill 69 in May of this year to increase laws regarding sex abuse in children. This law expands mandatory reporting laws in child abuse including suspected sexual abuse in children and exploitation of children being used for commercial sex. This law puts more teeth into mandatory child abuse reporters in that they must report victims of sexual exploitation in all cases – not just those instances where a “parent or caretaker” is suspected. One would think this would have been done a long time ago
Until now, Georgia law has restricted mandatory reporting only to suspected cases of child abuse that involve “parents or caretakers.” Senate Bill 69, sponsored by Senator Renee Unterman, passed the Georgia House of Representatives on March 26 by a vote of 163-1. What could possibly have been on the mind of the one dissenting vote?
This law, Senate Bill 69, makes it mandatory that child abuse is reported even by the exploiter. The broader language of this bill means “clients,” who normally aren’t family members or guardians of the victim. This will now be reported as child abuse, DUH?
“What a victory for the children of Georgia”, says Mary Frances Bowley, director of the non-profit Wellspring Living for Girls. “Now there is an avenue for those who work closely with children to direct them to safety and restoration “
The Juvenile Justice Fund
“The Juvenile Justice Fund is a nonprofit organization that has several programs, the A Future. Not A Past. Campaign, the Center to End Adolescent Sexual Exploitation Program (CEASE), the Family Visitation Program, and Family Drug Court – Project Ready, Set, Go., and the Atlanta Fulton Family Connection (AFFC). You can find more info on each individual program on our website, www.juvenilejusticefund.org. A Future. Not A Past. also has its own website, www.AFutureNotaPast.org. JJF’s mission is ‘All Children Always Matter’ and through our partnership with the Fulton County Juvenile Court, JJF strives to identify and address the myriad of complex needs of the youth and families in the juvenile justice system. Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children is a major problem area in our community and A Future. Not A Past.’s mission is to stop the prostitution of Georgia’s children by raising awareness. – Melba Johnson
CEASE (Center to End Adolescent Sexual Exploitation), Juvenile Justice Fund, 395 Pryor Street, Suite 1025, Atlanta, GA30312, 404-224-4999 (Office) 404-224-1082 (Fax)
For information about reporting suspected abuse, call Prevent Child Abuse Georgia's HELPLINE toll-free within the state of Georgia at 1-800-CHILDREN or out of state at (404) 870-6580. The information you share and your identity will remain confidential.
For more information about efforts to stop the prostitution of children in Georgia, visit www.afuturenotapast.org.
In an effort to insure the safety and protection of our children, and to see that violators are punished, Georgia’s tougher law provides that any child exploited for prostitution can be sentenced from five to twenty years in prison. Stiffer penalties can also be levied under state pandering laws which will result in 10 to 20 years in prison and forfeiture of assets.
Far too often, the victimization of young girls goes unreported – leaving them a victim for the rest of their life. It seems to have taken a long time for the lawmakers to realize that sex abuse upon a child is prohibited by law no matter who the perpetrator is. Kaffie McCullough who is campaign director for “A Future Not A Past,” says we need a statewide campaign to stop prostitution of our children in Georgia.
SIGN THEIR ONLINE PETITION
By signing this petition, we urge Georgia's lawmakers to hold the adult entertainment industry accountable by passing a $5 per patron surcharge on those who frequent adult entertainment establishments to help children trafficked for sex in the surrounding community. http://www.weurgeyou.com/ Stand with other Georgians to stop child prostitution.
Also, an additional $991,680 was appropriated to the GOCF FY10 budget to support victims of child prostitution and trafficking. "We all have an obligation to protect Georgia's children from abuse and neglect."
For information about reporting suspected abuse, call Prevent Child Abuse Georgia's HELPLINE toll-free within the state of Georgia at 1-800-CHILDREN or out of state at (404) 870-6580. The information you share and your identity will remain confidential. For more information about efforts to stop the prostitution of children in Georgia, visit www.afuturenotapast.org.
Be sure to check on the site “A Future Not A Past” and see the great work being done by these people on behalf of restoring girls who have been exploited. Also read about the upcoming event of a premiere of the documentary produced George Clooney called, “Playground.” Which will premiere in Atlanta on October 20, 2009. The Juvenile Justice Fund helped during the filming of this documentary. It will be held at Woodruff Arts Center. www.afuturenotapast.org.
Sources: GA Senate Bill 69 – AJC report – JJF and AFNAP web sites and personal e-mails from advocates at JJF and concerned citizens.
Comments