Executive Summary
- Survivor Rachel Thomas to speak at the 5th annual Micah’s Promise luncheon in Columbus.
- Event highlights data estimating 12,000 men purchase sex monthly in Georgia.
- Thomas and her father, Keith Cooper, co-authored a book detailing their experience with trafficking recovery.
COLUMBUS, Ga. — A sex trafficking survivor and her family are scheduled to address the community at an upcoming forum in Columbus dedicated to victim recovery and public awareness, according to event organizers.
Rachel Thomas, who was trafficked at age 19 while a student at Emory University in Atlanta, will serve as the keynote speaker at the 5th annual "Luncheon Celebrating the Promise of Hope and Healing." The event is organized by Micah’s Promise, a Columbus-based advocacy group focused on supporting victims of commercial sexual exploitation.
Thomas will be joined by her father, Keith Cooper, and a law enforcement detective to discuss the mechanics of trafficking and the path to recovery. Cooper and Thomas previously co-authored the book Rachel’s 5 Miracles, which chronicles their family’s experience navigating the trauma of exploitation.
According to data cited by event organizers, the demand for illicit sexual services remains high in the region, with approximately 12,000 men purchasing sex with young women in Georgia during any given month. Cooper noted that faith played a critical role in their survival, stating that despite the high risks of physical violence associated with trafficking, his daughter was able to exit the situation following an arrest intervention.
Community Advocacy & Prevention Outlook
The scheduled luncheon highlights a growing trend in public safety strategies that pairs law enforcement efforts with community-led advocacy. By integrating survivor narratives with statistical data on illicit markets, organizations like Micah’s Promise aim to shift the focus from solely punitive measures against victims to a broader understanding of supply and demand dynamics. Such events serve as critical platforms for educating the public on the indicators of trafficking, potentially aiding early detection and reinforcing support networks for survivors reintegrating into society.
It is important to note that all individuals charged with crimes in connection to trafficking investigations are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
