Mississippi

Spelling the name of this state out loud is a catchy way to remember it, and a way to make sure you spell it correctly. The name “Mississippi” comes from an Indian word meaning “great waters” or “father of waters.” Mississippi entered the Union as the 20th state in 1817. Considered part of the Deep South, Mississippi, with its rich soil and many rivers, is an agricultural state. The state flower is the fragrant magnolia blossom, and the capital is Jackson.

Human trafficking is a serious issue that affects people all around the world, including in Mississippi. It is a form of modern slavery in which individuals are exploited for labor, sexual exploitation, or other purposes.

According to data from the National Human Trafficking Hotline, Mississippi has consistently had relatively low numbers of human trafficking cases reported compared to other states in the United States. In 2020, the state ranked 44th in the country for the number of cases reported to the hotline, with a total of 17 cases.

Human trafficking can take many forms in Mississippi, including forced labor, domestic servitude, and sexual exploitation. It often affects vulnerable populations, such as immigrants, children, and people who are homeless or in poverty.

If you suspect that someone you know may be a victim of human trafficking, there are steps you can take to help. You can report the situation to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or by text at 233733. You can also contact local law enforcement or a trusted organization that provides services to victims of human trafficking. It is important to remember that the safety of the victim should be the top priority and to handle the situation with care and sensitivity.

 

 

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SOS: Secretary Watson Announces MBAT Summit
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SOS: Secretary Watson Announces MBAT Summit

Secretary of State Michael Watson is pleased to announce a Mississippi Businesses Against Trafficking (MBAT) Summit to be held the afternoon of January 24, 2023, during National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. In collaboration with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI), the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), and the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Center…

Seventh suspect arrested in Vidalia human trafficking investigation that involved minors; more details released
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Seventh suspect arrested in Vidalia human trafficking investigation that involved minors; more details released

Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. UPDATE (12/13/2022) (KTVE/KARD) — On December 13, 2022, deputies of the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office confirmed that they made the seventh arrest in the Vidalia human trafficking investigation. Their latest arrest was 50-year-old Shelton Rice. According to deputies, they initiated an investigation into reports of an…

Video voyeurism discovered during Vidalia drug raid – Mississippi's Best Community Newspaper
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Video voyeurism discovered during Vidalia drug raid – Mississippi's Best Community Newspaper

Published 5:28 pm Monday, December 12, 2022 VIDALIA, La. – Evidence of a hidden camera filming victims without their knowledge was discovered on electronic devices after a drug raid and arrests in Vidalia on Friday. Brian K. Melton, 50, of 1645 Azalea St. in Vidalia, has been charged with 33 counts of video voyeurism along…

How a Jim Crow-era strategy blocked 4.6 million people from voting in 2022
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How a Jim Crow-era strategy blocked 4.6 million people from voting in 2022

Reading Time: 8 minutes A type of law first created after the end of slavery to prohibit Black men from voting prevented more than 4.6 million Americans from participating in the 2022 midterm elections. Forty-eight states strip voting rights from people convicted of felonies, no small decision in the country with the highest incarceration rate…

The story behind why Louisiana voted against a ban on slavery
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The story behind why Louisiana voted against a ban on slavery

Last week, Louisiana voters struck down an amendment to its constitution that would have prohibited slavery and involuntary servitude. The four other states where slavery was on the ballot – Alabama, Oregon, Tennessee and Vermont – approved similar referenda. Louisiana was put in the national spotlight for rejecting the change. Trevor Noah did an entire…

Applications open for funding meant to help victims of human trafficking
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Applications open for funding meant to help victims of human trafficking

JACKSON, Miss. (WLOX) – Applications are now open for the a new fund meant to specifically help victims of human trafficking. Applications for the Victims of Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation Fund opened Nov. 1. As much as $2.5 million will be available for organizations that provide services to victims of human trafficking. “An…

HHS Awards $497,000 to USM Center for Human Trafficking Research and Training
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HHS Awards $497,000 to USM Center for Human Trafficking Research and Training

Fri, 10/28/2022 – 13:53pm | By: Karelia Pitts The University of Southern Mississippi’s newly established Center for Human Trafficking Research and Training (CHRT) in the School of Social Work was awarded $497,000 for the first year of a five-year demonstration program through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Administration for Children and…

LSU Law symposium to discuss improving criminal justice responses to sex trafficking
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LSU Law symposium to discuss improving criminal justice responses to sex trafficking

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Important conversations will be playing out on Friday, Oct. 28 during a symposium at LSU Law. The “Improving Improving Criminal Justice Responses to Sex Trafficking” symposium will feature La. First Lady Donna Edwards, as she discusses a resource center and advocacy campaign that she, along with Governor John Bel Edwards,…

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Memphis Man Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking

Jackson, Miss. – A Memphis man pled guilty to sex trafficking of a minor and interstate sex trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney Darren LaMarca, Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch. Wayne Edwards Settles, 30, pled guilting on October 25, 2022, in U.S. District Court…