One woman shares her story of human trafficking in Mississippi
A Mississippi woman is sharing more about the moment her life changed and how she became a victim of human trafficking.
Her story is an example of why trafficking is often overlooked, even as cases are reported in every county in the state.
Morgan Gill with the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center has more.
“Even 14 years after, you know, I still have traumatic experiences. I still can think of something, and it feels like it was yesterday.”
For human trafficking survivor Amber Eide, exploitation didn’t begin with force — it began with trust. She had just graduated from high school when she met an older man at a grocery store — it was the start of what she believed was romance.
“I was very much not aware of what trafficking was. It wasn’t established then. It was really just, you know, like, just prostitution. It didn’t really have a name to it.”
Eide says the relationship changed slowly — through manipulation and control. “It wasn’t abusive. It wasn’t forcible. It was coercible. So, I was coerced into doing things — the unthinkable things.”
After she gave birth, she says the reality became impossible to ignore. “I remember my child being on the motel bed the day I was trafficked.”
Today, she’s sharing her story to shed light on victims she calls “invisible.” “Human trafficking, to me, it just looks like a normal person. No one knew I was being trafficked in the least bit.”
Investigators say her experience reflects a broader pattern across the state.
Human trafficking has been reported in all 82 counties.
In 2024, law enforcement identified 195 cases involving nearly 300 victims.
Lori Hill with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation says preventing it starts with understanding that it doesn’t look like what you may see on TV. “It’s important to have those conversations because if they understand how people may be out there to take advantage of them and manipulate them, then they can see the red flags for themselves.”
Investigators say victims are most often exploited by someone they know — commonly a romantic partner or a family member.
Anyone who may be experiencing trafficking or knows someone who is can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline, free and confidential, at 888-373-7888 or text INFO to 233733.
