Traffick Jam at Mercer University was founded with a mission to address the gap in awareness and action surrounding human trafficking in the local community. According to a 2015 Macon Telegraph article, Georgia Cares, a state organization that serves trafficked minors, had received over 1,100 referrals in five years, with 26 active cases in Bibb County alone. The Shapiro Group also reports that approximately 12,400 people purchase sex in Georgia each month. While Mercer’s “Research That Reaches Out” often focuses on international issues, Traffick Jam brought attention to the pressing problem of trafficking in Middle Georgia. Recognizing the severity of this issue, Traffick Jam has worked to educate the Mercer community, support survivors, and collaborate with state and national organizations committed to fighting human trafficking. Through awareness campaigns, fundraising, and partnerships, Traffick Jam continues to bridge the gap in combating human trafficking, empowering students to make a difference nationwide.
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Mercer’s senior marketing students, under the leadership of Dr.Tammy Crutchfield, built the brand Traffick Jam as a result of these alarming facts.The students were tasked with taking the Anti-Trafficking education video “Chosen” to market. After conducting qualitative customer research, they concluded that a video story such as Chosen was necessary but not sufficient. As a result, Traffick Jam was established in 2014 through the senior marketing capstone experience.
Our Roots
Growth Beyond Mercer
Ultimately, what started as a university initiative has grown into a movement with a broader reach. Today, Traffick Jam continues to work with students, educators, law enforcement, and advocacy groups to create lasting change. Our commitment to awareness, prevention, and survivor support remains steadfast as we expand our impact beyond the Mercer community. As we look to the future, Traffick Jam remains dedicated to fostering partnerships, supporting survivors, and advocating for systemic change. Through continued education, outreach, and activism, we strive to build a world free from human trafficking. Traffick Jam is more than an organization—it’s a movement dedicated to justice, hope, and freedom. Join us as we continue the fight against human trafficking.
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To date, Traffick Jam has reached and educated over 10,000 students, raising awareness and inspiring action against human trafficking both on campus and in the broader community.
