Rielly Pulliam
Staff Writer
First it starts with posts surfacing across social media platforms of missing individuals, then after 24 hours without a trace, a buzz sporadically sounds issuing an Amber alert, which is an alarm that signifies potential danger. All of these signs point to a current issue; human trafficking.
It is a topic that is being heavily discussed across America and lately in Mississippi. What exactly is human trafficking? In order to get a better grasp of this cruel act, human trafficking is an action of illegally transporting people from one country to another for forced labor or sexual exploration.
This illegal act is growing rapidly in Mississippi, and citizens of the state have been working together diligently to stop this heartless conflict, with social media defiantly playing a huge part of getting the word out.
Students at universities have been posting warnings on their social media about suspicious cars roaming around the campus and as a result of this frequent suspicious acts law enforcement have been posting helpful tips on how to handle the situation if someone
The Mississippi Department of Health stated that victims of human trafficking can be your loved ones, people you have met or work with. Traffickers use different means to control their victims and limit their freedom.
According to MDH, there are several signs a person should look for to detect human trafficking, which includes; lack of identifying documents, lack of control of money, signs of physical abuse, unusual fearfulness, unwillingness to communicate or socialize, lack of proper care and food, and being underage for work. The victims can be found in restaurants, homes, farms, construction sites, or in the sex trade.
It is also encouraged that people stay off their phones as much as possible in public areas, in order to be more aware of surroundings.
With people going missing left and right, it seems that people of color have been the main targets. Could this be a race thing? Little black girls have mainly been seen going missing, and people are definitely noticing the pattern.
Jackson State University students shared what they thought about human trafficking, and how people of color have been targeted.
JaQuan Powell, a junior political science major from Jackson, Miss. stated, “It’s mainly a reoccurring situation in now the black communities, they are now targeting the younger ages off the streets. Maybe demand is high in the market, which is causing it to occur so frequently.”
Helena Vah, a senior theater major from Jackson, Miss., believes the protection of children is of utmost importance.
“Working with children, and them being of color it makes me more aware for them and I want to protect them at any cost. Human trafficking is just cruel overall,” said Vah.
If you see any behavior that you feel is off or weird, do not hesitate to call the authorities. Also, it is essential to stay updated about what is happening around your local area from your news outlets.
If you think you have witnessed a human trafficking scene the national human trafficking hotline is; 1-888-373-7888.
Stay alert, and stay updated!
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