From pushups to planks, cooking challenges and paint pours, residents along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and throughout the state are taking action to raise awareness about human trafficking.
    They are joining the Magnolia Movement, a new campaign started by the Center for Violence Prevention (CVP) to encourage support of its long-term restoration efforts for human trafficking survivors.  
    And many are doing it, right now, from the comforts of their own homes. They are utilizing Facebook and other social media platforms to create and promote a uniquely crafted virtual fundraiser experience that includes fun games, tutorials and other activities that inspire them.
    “The Magnolia Movement is for everyone to take part in and allows people to have the freedom to make it whatever they want it to be,” said CVP’s Nikki Fortunato of Gulfport, developer of the Magnolia Movement campaign. “It is all for one mission, and that’s to restore those who have survived human trafficking.”
    The CVP officially launched the campaign in September 2020 at the culmination of its 30^th anniversary and in preparation of the annual observation of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day on January 11, 2021. 
    The goal of the campaign is to encourage people in the Magnolia State to join in the statewide call to action.
    “The Mississippi Gulf Coast is one of the most populated areas in the state,” Fortunato said. “That means there is so much opportunity to make a difference and join with community groups, organizations, and businesses to support the cause. Joining the Movement in any way for those in need, whether it’s big or small, is always important when it comes to bridging the gaps in the community for something as serious as human trafficking.”  It is estimated that nearly 25 million people are victims of human trafficking around the world. In 2019, the CVP assisted with the recovery of 115 victims in Mississippi. That number includes adults and children on the Gulf Coast.
    Popular destinations for vacationing and high traffic areas for interstate commerce like the Mississippi Gulf Coast can become hot spots for crimes such as human trafficking.

    According to CVP’s Executive Director Sandy Middleton, while there’s still a lot of work yet to be done along the Gulf Coast and throughout Mississippi to fill the gap in services for human trafficking victims, leaders across the state have made some progress with the creation of Task Forces; the 2017 opening of The Tower, the first and only specialized human trafficking shelter in Mississippi; and the addition of five Rapid Response advocates in 2018. And last year, the state funded several certified human trafficking investigators
    “Human trafficking is everywhere,” Middleton said. “We started seeing the red flags and knew we needed to ramp up our efforts in Mississippi.
    “The Magnolia Movement, I believe, is going to serve as a great vehicle for opening up public discussions about human trafficking and help encourage Mississippi’s responsiveness to this crime.”
    The Magnolia Movement features opportunities to fundraise and raise awareness virtually, as a response to COVID-19 restrictions, as well as for community organizations and clubs to join the movement by choosing to hold annual/signature events to benefit the CVP and victims of human trafficking. The CVP Web site has been redesigned to make it easy for people to register for the Magnolia Movement while personalizing their event. Each registrant can also select a set amount of bracelets and post cards so that their event can be branded with the Magnolia Movement.

    “Our goal with this is to localize the human trafficking awareness to the Mississippi so that people can support efforts in their own state, not just nationally,” said Fortunato. “Although all efforts to fight these crimes are admired, we hope that residents of Mississippi know that there are local resources and recovery programs specifically designed just for them.”
    All monies raised through Magnolia Movement fundraisers benefit the CVP and The Tower it operates as “a trauma-informed program, offering therapeutic and practical assistance to survivors for up to two years to ensure safety, stability and the restoration of autonomy. In addition to residential services, The Tower collaborates with regional task forces to aid in the identification and recovery of victims, as well as the pursuit of those who exploit these victims. A team of statewide Rapid Response advocates responds to law enforcement, medical providers and other service providers to improve victim access to safety and justice,” as stated on the CVP’s Web site.
    Fortunato currently serves as CVP’s Rapid Response Advocate for the Gulf Coast. Rapid Responders work throughout the state to respond 24/7 whenever there is a call or referral that an adult or child is being exploited. They make sure their immediate needs are met while advocating for them along their path to recovery. Engaging with the community to share how to identify a victim is another part of this role.
    “Lately, social media has framed what sexual exploitation might seem like. But it’s actually quite different in reality. Scenarios that are put together to make it seem like children are kidnapped from parking lots are not as likely. We actually see more people getting abused in relationships or by family members selling them out at a young age in exchange for drugs. And social manipulation. Anywhere that you see a cheap hotel on the outskirts of the city, it’s likely that it’s serving as a central hub for sexual exploitation of women, men, or children. Some people will hide these crimes under prostitution.”
    Fortunato said anyone or any organization can register to participate in the Magnolia Movement.
    “The Magnolia Movement will be such a milestone for this state once people learn how simple it is to join alongside a cause that goes above and beyond to provide restoration for those who have survived the heinous acts of human trafficking,” she said. “…So far, the Magnolia Movement has already sparked interest from college communities, small businesses, local artists, and more. We even had one of our very own employees take a video while she made seafood gumbo in her own kitchen to raise money for the cause.
    “If you have a vision or special event that you would like to benefit the recovery of those who have survived human trafficking in our state, then the possibilities are above and beyond. The big concept here is that whenever you host a fundraiser, whether it’s a gala or neighborhood cookout, you aren’t just raising money. The moment you decide to host an event or partner with us, you are also choosing to make an impact on adults and children that will last a lifetime. Every donation, every fundraiser, and every volunteer that gives their time for this initiative will forever be part of the Magnolia Movement.”
    To register to join the Magnolia Movement, visit the CVP’s Web site at mscvp.org/mm

Amanda Compton-Ortiz

Amanda Compton-Ortiz holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism from the University of Mississippi. She relocated from North Mississippi to Long Beach in October 2016. Amanda has worked for more than 20 years in journalism, leading and reporting for various community news publications throughout the state. She has received numerous awards for her editorial contributions from the Mississippi Press Association and placed among 224 universities competing across the United States and Canada for Reach, a personally created magazine for women.