Governor Bryant Creates Human Trafficking Task Force

Governor Phil Bryant has created a task force to address human trafficking in Mississippi. Human trafficking includes causing another person to engage in prostitution or forced labor or services by enticing, recruiting, harboring, providing, transporting, or otherwise obtaining another person by deception, coercion, or force.

The task force will meet to examine existing research, and/or to commission new research on the topic of human trafficking. It will also review Mississippi laws, administrative practices and law enforcement training pertaining to the topic. Additionally, the task force will identify opportunities to strengthen Mississippi human trafficking statutes.

“Human trafficking and the people that that fall victim to it are often hard to identify. It’s a serious crime that often is forgotten, even though we know it is happening,” Gov. Bryant said. “By bringing together the relevant individuals from around the state to take a hard look at best practices and put forth recommendations, we will draw closer to putting a stop to this terrible crime in our state.”

The Mississippi Office of Homeland Security will provide appropriate staff and administrative support to assist the group in carrying out its duties. Any other state agency represented on the task force is authorized to provide staff and administrative support, as necessary.
The task force will prepare and submit a report to Gov. Bryant by July 1st, 2015. The report will include a summary of findings and final recommendations of the task force to the Governor.