South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, who serves as the state’s chief prosecutor and legal counsel, released the 2025 Annual Report of the South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force at the State House. Wilson is chair of the Task Force, which works with local, state, and federal law enforcement to address human trafficking across South Carolina.
The report shows that in 2025, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) investigated 315 tips related to human trafficking. These investigations involved over 300 potential victims, with most cases concerning minors. SLED’s data revealed that investigations took place in 41 counties; only five counties reported no cases. Greenville County had the highest number of investigations (35), followed by Berkeley and Charleston (30 each), Richland (28), Lexington (27), and Dorchester (21).
This year’s report did not include data from the National Human Trafficking Hotline due to an operator transition. Instead, statistics from the Department of Social Services and Department of Juvenile Justice were used to highlight various ways minor victims are identified.
Attorney General Wilson said, “Human trafficking is not a challenge any single agency can solve alone. Through the leadership of the State Task Force and the dedication of our partners, South Carolina remains a model on how to best address this crime.”
In 2025, the Task Force started the South Carolina Safe House Certification Program for service providers working with human trafficking victims and survivors. The program certified four organizations: Doors to Freedom, the Formation Project, Jasmine Road, and Lighthouse for Life. South Carolina became the first state in the nation to require statewide certification for specialized human trafficking programs. Certified programs are listed on an online resource directory managed by the Task Force for use by victims, courts, and members of the public.
Monique Garvin, Director of the Task Force, stated: “The data continues to inform how we shape and implement statewide initiatives from specialized training and certification to public awareness and prevention education.”
Other attendees at today’s event included SLED Chief Mark Keel; subcommittee chairs from across state task forces; regional task force chairs; nonprofit leaders; and anti-human trafficking advocates.
The Office of Attorney General provides victim support services and resources aimed at improving public safety throughout South Carolina (official website). It also collaborates with law enforcement agencies on criminal prosecutions (official website) while maintaining a presence across all regions (official website).
The full annual report is available at humantrafficking.scag.gov. Incidents or requests for victim services can be reported via the confidential National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888.
