On the one-year anniversary of the opening of The Tower, Mississippi’s Center for Violence Prevention proudly recognizes the Mississippi Federation of Republican Women (MFRW) for its publicity of the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Sandy Middleton, Executive Director, stated, “When The Center for Violence Prevention opened The Tower, the new statewide facility to provide specialized treatment for Mississippi’s human trafficking victims, the National Human Trafficking Hotline became a very important tool for victims and law enforcement. We are so grateful that the MFRW chose the hotline as their awareness project, as we know the hotline offers hope for victims seeking a wayout.”
In the spring of 2017, then-MFRW President Dana Stringer sought to engage the MFRW in a project in which the organization could make a significant impact. After learning that human trafficking was a huge problem in the state, the MFRW focused its efforts on human trafficking awareness. “We found that promoting the National Human Trafficking Hotline is one of the most effective ways to increase human trafficking arrests. We hope by promoting the National Human Trafficking Hotline in Mississippi we will offer hope to trafficked victims, along with sending a message to traffickers that Mississippi is not their safe haven,” said Kay Forsman, MFRW Legislation and Research Committee Chairman.
The MFRW is promoting the hotline through stickers placed in public restroom stalls as well as a billboard campaign. In addition, MFRW clubs are educating the public through human trafficking awareness seminars.
“People exploited in forms of modern slavery are receiving help and services to rebuild their lives every day in America, including here in Mississippi. From the domestic worker provided with her visa, to the young woman sold online for sex who now has counseling and therapy support, survivors are reaching out to the National Human Trafficking Hotline more than ever. Too often, though, survivors aren’t aware the National Hotline exists.
Efforts like Mississippi’s awareness campaign are critical to ensuring survivors of sex and labor trafficking get the help they need, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the support in sharing the Hotline number,” stated Caroline Diemar, Director of the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
Through The Tower, The Center has designed trauma-informed evidence-based programming focused on victim safety, recovery, and restoration. Services for victims include emergency and long-term shelter, case management, advocacy, therapeutic services, and education and awareness. Therapeutic services include multiple treatment modalities proven to work for victims who have experienced complex trauma. EMDR, cognitive behavioral therapy, restorative yoga and mindfulness, animal- assisted therapy, art and music expression are some of the tools available for treatment. Support in the
form of rapid response throughout the entire state provides “on-the-ground” screening and assessment services, along with forensic exams, when appropriate. The Center’s staff collaborates with law enforcement and other service providers to facilitate proper treatment and referrals for victims.
The National Human Trafficking Hotline is a national anti-trafficking hotline serving victims and survivors of human trafficking and the anti-trafficking community in the United States. The toll-free hotline is available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year in more than 200 languages.
The Mississippi Federation of Republican Women is part of the National Federation of Republican Women, one of the largest grassroots political organizations in the country. The MFRW, composed of 23 clubs around the state, supports and strengthens the Republican Party by promoting the principles, objectives and policies of the Republican Party and increasing the effectiveness of women in the cause of good government.
Since 1990, the primary goal of Mississippi’s Center for Violence Prevention (The Center) has been to provide emergency shelter services that will enable women and children who are forced to leave theirhome environments due to violence to seek, obtain, and remain in a safe environment. The Center’sprograms are designed to foster successful rehabilitation from violent and abusive relationships, so that victims can take back control of their lives and learn to live independently, free from abuse.
Center for Violence Prevention Press Release
7/25/2018
Sarah Ulmer
