Middle Tennessee sees rise in human trafficking

[Ian David]

By: Katie Allison Granju, Producer
Date created: 6/22/2007 8:32:20 AM
Last updated: 6/22/2007 8:32:36 AM

By JOHN BOWMAN
For The Tennessean
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People expect to read about it in magazines or watch a prime-time news show special report - but human trafficking in Nashville? It seems unlikely at best.

That's why many Nashvillians were stunned in November when two people were arrested and charged with the sex trafficking of children. But not everyone was caught by surprise.

Amber Beckham and Colette Bercu are two local women who have long been aware of the global trafficking epidemic and have been working to raise public awareness. Though it's often described as a hidden crime, Beckham and Bercu are helping Metro police spot cases of human trafficking and raising funds to support victims' shelters in other parts of the world.

Girls lured into sex trade

As a result of November's arrests, Nashville resident Cristina Andres Perfecto pleaded guilty to two counts of commercial sex trafficking and admitted luring two Mexican girls to the United States by telling them they would be employed at a restaurant in Nashville.

More:
http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=46501&provider=gnews