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.

 

 

Kansas Introduces New Training to Help Community Members Recognize, Fight Human Trafficking
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Kansas Introduces New Training to Help Community Members Recognize, Fight Human Trafficking

Despite the malevolent, prevalent nature of human trafficking, many people remain tragically uninformed about it. Some people wrongly believe trafficking in persons only occurs overseas, in third-world nations, or elsewhere. Unfortunately, human trafficking happens everywhere. This is all the more reason to raise awareness and inform the general public. Thankfully, growing numbers of communities are…

Watson announces new program that trains businesses to identify human trafficking
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Watson announces new program that trains businesses to identify human trafficking

JACKSON, Miss. — A new program announced Wednesday will help combat human trafficking in Mississippi. Secretary of State Michael Watson introduced Mississippi Businesses Against Trafficking, or MBAT, as a new training program for businesses. Sectors all over the state will be able to access programs for employees that will teach them the signs to look…

New initiative aims to combat human trafficking in Mississippi
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New initiative aims to combat human trafficking in Mississippi

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – On Wednesday, Secretary of State Michael Watson (R-Miss.) announced the launch of a new initiative, Mississippi Businesses Against Trafficking (MBAT). MBAT is a statewide initiative to raise awareness and empower Mississippi businesses to combat human trafficking. The initiative is open to any business, nonprofit organization, or association in the state that…

Secretary of State partnering with businesses to combat human trafficking
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Secretary of State partnering with businesses to combat human trafficking

Secretary of State Michael Watson announced Wednesday morning a statewide partnership with Mississippi businesses to combat human trafficking. Through the Mississippi Businesses Against Trafficking initiative, a website will be produced by the Secretary of State’s Office and videos and other training devices will be made available to help businesses recognize and report instances of human…

Secretary of State launches anti-human trafficking training for Mississippi businesses
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Secretary of State launches anti-human trafficking training for Mississippi businesses

Secretary of State Michael Watson speaks at the Neshoba County Fair in Philadelphia, Miss., Thursday, July 28, 2022. A new initiative to combat human trafficking was launched Wednesday by Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson and business leaders. The Mississippi Businesses Against Trafficking, or MBAT, program will provide training to businesses and employees on how…

Ex-NFL QB Brett Favre considered prison labor to build volleyball facility
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Ex-NFL QB Brett Favre considered prison labor to build volleyball facility

Former Southern Miss and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre. (Image source: Twitter – @BrettFavre) Court documents released show that former NFL star Brett Favre allegedly sank to new lows in the Mississippi welfare scandal when he suggested that a free workforce be used to build a volleyball facility at his daughter’s school. Favre, who…

Nationwide Movement to End Unpaid Prison Labor Tackles the ‘Slavery Loophole’
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Nationwide Movement to End Unpaid Prison Labor Tackles the ‘Slavery Loophole’

Photo by mksfly via Flickr Incarcerated individuals across the country are forced to work for cents on the dollar, with five states, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi and Texas, offering no wages, reports the Guardian.  The 13th amendment abolished slavery and involuntary servitude but contained an exception for “a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have…

University of Southern Mississippi opens center for human trafficking research center – WLBT
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University of Southern Mississippi opens center for human trafficking research center – WLBT

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WLBT) – Human trafficking is no myth, and it’s happening around the state. According to the national human trafficking hotline, hundreds of cases are reported annually, despite the case count experts thinking there are inaccuracies within the data. “Victims or survivors, we use those words interchangeably. But, they do not disclose what is…

IHL Approves USM Center for Human Trafficking Research and Training
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IHL Approves USM Center for Human Trafficking Research and Training

Thu, 09/22/2022 – 12:14pm | By: Karelia Pitts Earlier this summer, the Board of Trustees of Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) approved a proposal from The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) School of Social Work to form a Center for Human Trafficking Research and Training (CHRT) – the first center of its kind in…

What’s at stake in the 2022 midterm election? Here’s everything to watch before Election Day.
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What’s at stake in the 2022 midterm election? Here’s everything to watch before Election Day.

Midterm elections: How they work and why they’re important This year’s midterms are the first chance for Americans to grade Joe Biden and congressional Democrats on how they’ve been running the country for the past two years. Typically midterms don’t go well for the party in power, and Democrats are defending razor-thin majorities in Congress, as one-third of…