Mississippi Businesses Against Trafficking gather to learn to combat human trafficking

Every year, some 24.9 million people worldwide fall victim to human trafficking, according to the U.S. Department of State.

“In the United States, traffickers compel victims to engage in commercial sex and to work in both legal and illicit industries and sectors,” according to Mississippi Businesses Against Trafficking, an initiative established by Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson.

Watson, held a Mississippi Businesses Against Trafficking Summit on Tuesday, April 4, with students, Criminal Justice officers, Human Trafficking prevention groups and a panel of experts in the field at Jackson State University to discuss ways to prevent sex trafficking and other forms of human exploitation in Mississippi.

Watson said the idea for the Summit started when he saw the devastation caused by sexual exploitation in other states and that it was growing too close to home.

“When I served as … state senator, I received multiple calls about possible incidents of trafficking in Mississippi,” Watson said.

The stories he heard touched his heart, he said, so he created the Mississippi Businesses Against Trafficking initiative to help prevent trafficking crimes in Mississippi.

“We aim to spread awareness and let people know what is happening” Watson said. “Since the program's start in 2022, we now have over 100 members serving Mississippi. MBAT is also training for employees to know how to recognize signs of trafficking.”

Watson said the first Mississippi Businesses Against Trafficking Summit was held at the University of Southern Mississippi earlier this year, with approximately 150 people in attendance.

“… It is our job to recognize signs of trafficking regardless of the location,” Watson said.

The summit was presented in collaboration with sponsors including the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, the Mississippi State Department of Health and the Jackson State University Police Department.

Speakers for the summit included JSU criminal justice professor Lt. Kevin Lavin, Brian Montgomery, father of deceased sextortion victim Walker Montgomery, and Interim President of JSU Elayne Hayes-Anthony, Ph.D.

During the summit, Watson invited Montgomery to speak about losing his 16-year-old son, Walker, to sexual exploitation in December last year.

Brian told attendees that he feels as if he failed his son by not being more aware of the possible signs of exploitation and has since gone public with the tragedy to warn teens and parents alike of the danger that lurks within social media apps.

Panelists for the event were Executive Director at the Louisiana Governor's Office of Human Trafficking Prevention Dr. Dana Hunter; Mississippi Statewide Human Trafficking Coordinator Ashlee Lucas; Vice President Dutch Oil Company/Sprint Mart Matt Bogue; who answered questions from the audience.

Anthony said the summit is essential to the community and JSU students.

“We are very pleased to be a part of this summit and want our community to remain safe by ensuring the appropriate knowledge is given,” Anthony said in opening the summit. “On behalf of the university, I'd like to thank those here and the messages that will be given today. I thank Chief Herman Horton, JSU Police Chief, for connecting with the Secretary of State to bring this event together. I am big on partnerships and the things that make us great. This is one.”

Lavin said his military background and 33 years of law enforcement have helped him identify numerous signs of sex trafficking.

“Currently, I work as a Lieutenant with the Hinds County Sheriff's Department, and we handle street crime and often run into sex trafficking cases in Jackson,” Lavin said. “This issue is something we can't police our way out of; we need our community leaders to help us bring factual information to share with our churches, communities and children. Human trafficking is one of the most serious crimes you can commit, although it varies by year for different states.”

Lavin said children aren't exempt from sex trafficking and should be monitored as much as adults.

“Regardless of your age, gender or sexual orientation, everyone is a possible desired prospect in the sex trafficking world,” Lavin said. “Often predators prey on those who appear malnourished, injured, lack personal identification documents and personal possessions.”

Below is a list of Human Trafficking Resources to reach out to if you have questions about human trafficking:

Center for Human Trafficking Research and Training

• Dr. Tamara Hurst, Co-founder and Co-Director, [email protected]. Phone: 601-266-4173
• Dr. Kimberly Hogan, Co-Founder and Co-Director, [email protected]. Phone: 601-266-4731
• For more information, follow www.usm.edu/chrt.

Center for Violence Prevention

• www.msc4vp.org

Child Protection Services for Child Sex, Labor Trafficking, Abuse or Neglect.

• Phone: 888-222-8000

Department of Homeland Security

• www.dhs.gov

Mississippi Bureau of Investigation

• Ashlee Lucas, MBI Statewide Human Trafficking Coordinator, [email protected].
• Phone: 601-987-1671
• www.dps.ms.gov/humantrafficking

Mississippi Businesses Against Human Trafficking

• www.sos.ms.gov/mbat

Mississippi State Department of Health/Human Trafficking Program Navigators

• Xavier Johnson, Navigator, [email protected], Phone: 601-206-1547.
• Crystal Palmer, Navigator, [email protected], Phone: 601-206-1554

Mississippi Human Trafficking Council

• www.dps.ms.gov/humantrafficking
• Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/mississippihumantraffickingcouncil

National Human Trafficking Hotline

• Phone: 888-373-7888 or text BEFREE (233733). You have the option to remain anonymous.