About Us

Sex Trafficking in Georgia – What You Need to Know:

• 12-14 years old is the average age a child is victimized
• 200+ girls are sold for sex in Georgia each month
• Atlanta ranks among the top 14 cities for CSEC (Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children)
• One out of every three runaway teens will be lured into prostitution within 48 hours of leaving home

YouthSpark, Inc., formerly known as the Juvenile Justice Fund, has been a pioneer in the arena of combatting child sex trafficking for more than 10 years. Our aim is to transform the lives of children who have been exploited, abused, and neglected, because NO CHILD wakes up at 16 and chooses to be prostituted.

Based at the Fulton County Juvenile Court, we bridge the gap between the services provided by the Court and the needs of the children and families it serves.

YouthSpark combats this heinous form of child abuse by reducing the number of victims in our communities, disabling the demand for prostituted youth, and by educating and empowering young people to join the movement.

• YouthSpark Voices provides support services for young girls who are at extreme high risk for becoming victims of child sex trafficking, including:
- weekly group dinners, transportation, and basic necessities like clothing and toiletries
- sessions with a trauma-trained clinician who counsels girls individually as well as directing peer-to-peer group circles that cover topics such as self-esteem, positive relationships, and sexual health
- education on the realities of child sex trafficking and what makes these girls vulnerable
- empowerment plans that include re-entry into schools, job readiness, and higher education opportunities

• A Future. Not A Past disables demand by providing ground-breaking research, legislative advocacy, community education, and training for medical and social service personnel

• YouthSpark Igniters is our new student-led advocacy movement in schools and other community groups