Three individuals were arrested following a significant labor trafficking investigation connected to religious organizations in Georgia, raising grave concerns about forced labor disguised as a ministry program.
This development arises as K.D., a former participant in the Atlanta Dream Center Church’s ministry school, filed an 85-page lawsuit in federal court in Atlanta on Monday, alleging severe exploitation and unpaid labor within the program.
Kim Dougherty, K.D.’s attorney, stated, “This is the first (lawsuit) of its kind that we are aware of, but we do represent several other individuals, and we’re aware of many more who suffered through the same sort of trafficking and trafficking conditions.”
Dougherty expressed hope that K.D.’s lawsuit would lead to accountability and a broader effort to combat similar abuses within religious organizations.
Representatives from the six church entities named in K.D.’s complaint did not respond immediately to inquiries regarding the allegations against them.
A spokesperson for the Assemblies of God referred questions to the leader of its Georgia District Council, who also did not respond promptly.
The lawsuit highlights not only K.D.’s individual experience but points to an alleged underlying trend of trafficking activities at Dream Center churches across various states. According to Dougherty, these schemes exploit vulnerable individuals under the guise of ministry work, prayer, and rehabilitation.
K.D. reportedly became involved with the Atlanta Dream Center Church after being encouraged to join the ministry program by members who visited her home church in Missouri around 2012 or 2013. She believed she would receive valuable training in ministry and partake in enjoyable activities.
However, her expectations quickly turned into a harsh reality. K.D. described a life of forced labor, working 12 to 16 hours daily in poor conditions. Instead of the enriching volunteer experience she anticipated, she faced grueling labor in a filthy one-bedroom apartment shared with three other individuals, located in a high-crime area of Atlanta.
During her time in the program, K.D. recalled working in a kitchen with unsanitary conditions, preparing and serving food that was often expired and contaminated. She claimed the church forbade her from discarding food that had come into contact with blood or vomit, instructing her instead to rinse it off before serving.
Furthermore, K.D. alleged that church leaders coerced her into providing unpaid labor at various events, including sporting, corporate, and entertainment occasions. She also mentioned that unnamed major restaurant entities contribute tax-deductible donations to the church in exchange for free labor from participants like herself.
The lawsuit names Mission Movement Corps, a church-based nonprofit in Georgia, alleging that it facilitated the alleged labor trafficking scheme. Mission Movement Corps claims on its website to support missionaries at the Atlanta Dream Center Church and partner with catering companies to deploy volunteer staff for fundraising purposes.
K.D. accused church leaders of demanding $7,000 in tuition from her, despite her extensive unpaid work. She also claimed that after raising concerns about her treatment, she was expelled from the program under false pretenses. Church leaders informed her parents that she had been expelled for drinking alcohol, leading to her social and familial ostracism.
Describing the church’s tactics, K.D. said they employed shaming and religious manipulation to maintain control over participants, keeping them obedient and quiet. She reported being denied basic healthcare needs and was chastised for expressing any dissatisfaction with her living and working conditions.
In her complaint, K.D. emphasized that the case exemplifies a “sophisticated human trafficking and forced labor operation disguised as a religious ministry.”
The lawsuit alleges that the church entities have committed violations of the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act.
Dougherty contended that K.D. was never granted the college degree or ministerial certification she had been promised, and she has since endured years of therapy to cope with the trauma of her experiences.
Dougherty expressed hope that this case could lead to legislative changes to protect young adults and children from falling victim to similar abusive situations in the future.
“It is our understanding that (trafficking in the program) is still a problem, it is still happening to people now,” she noted, signaling a persistent concern about ongoing exploitation within such organizations.
image source from：https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-news/atlanta-church-trafficked-ministry-students-lawsuit-alleges/AQZIBVUUD5BQJH6432EN7ARBZ4/
