Jubilee Havens opening new shelter to house victims of sex trafficking
This coming Monday at the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce Main Street Tourism Bureau, Jubilee Havens will cut the ribbon on a new shelter. The…
human trafficking
January marks Human Trafficking Prevention Month
January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month and organizations such as Advocates for Freedom are trying to spread awareness. According to Advocates for Freedom, there are 29 million…
January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month
Human Trafficking is a massive problem the world is facing, with more than 29 million people being held today. January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Here to tell us what…
Governor Reeves announces human trafficking operation leads to 8 arrests and identification of 7 victims
JACKSON, Miss. – On Friday, July 09, 2021, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation launched an undercover operation in Lee County, which resulted in the arrests and charges of 8 individuals and the identification of 7 human trafficking victims. “My administration…
New statewide campaign aims to stop human trafficking
Attorney General Lynn Fitch and Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell, along with other partners, launched Mississippi’s first statewide human trafficking campaign. ‘Be the Solution’ offers nationally recognized training…
Undercover human trafficking operation results in arrests of 6 men
The Mississippi Attorney General’s Office and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation Special Victims Unit conducted a joint undercover human trafficking operation on Friday, November 13, in Oxford resulting in the arrests of 6 individuals who were charged with procuring prostitution.…
Sweet Belongings store holds grand opening in D’Iberville
Sweet Belongings opened its doors in D’Iberville today. What’s even sweeter than the name is that 100 percent of the store’s proceeds go toward fighting the war on human trafficking. The new up-scale boutique store is brought to you by…
Sweet Belongings grand opening in D’Iberville
Sweet Belongings is opening its doors in D’Iberville today. What’s even sweeter than the name is that one hundred percent of the store’s proceeds go towards a great cause. News 25’s Lorraine Weiskopf has more.
Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence receives grant to fight human trafficking
The Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence has received a Department of Justice grant to help further their mission. Nearly $380,000 has been awarded to the Center for Nonviolence to help fight human trafficking in South Mississippi. The grant will be…
Advocates for Freedom hosts volunteer training
On Saturday, a local organization helped train and teach volunteers about the dangers of human trafficking. Susie Harvill, founder and CEO of Advocates for Freedom, taught the three hour seminar covering all the information and skills a volunteer of the…
‘Rise up for Children’ awareness march
Today is ‘World Day against Human Trafficking’ and community members gathered in Ocean Springs to raise awareness on how it can impact children. People of all ages broke out their signs and put on their blue wigs to raise awareness…
MDOT on front lines of ‘World Day against Human Trafficking’
Workers with the Mississippi Department of Transportation are stepping up to the front lines to help in the fight against human trafficking. Interstate 10 is a hot spot for human traffickers and runs right through South Mississippi as well as…
Deadline met for down payment on shelter for trafficking victims
South Mississippi is one step closer to becoming home to the first ever human trafficking shelter in our area. Leaders with Jubilee Havens tell News 25 they just raised the $10,000 needed for a down payment to secure the chosen…
‘Rise up for Children’ event
Today is ‘World Day against Human Trafficking’ and community members are gathered in Ocean Springs to raise awareness on how it can impact children. News 25’s Grant Chighizola is at Front Beach in Ocean Springs with more.
Local organization creating safe haven for trafficking victims
Women, even young girls, as well as some men and boys, are trapped in the dark world of sex and human trafficking. Some locals, including at least one sex trafficking survivor and victor, are fighting back and you can help.…
Putting an end to human trafficking
According to the United Nations about 50,000 people are trafficked in the U.S. each year. To help combat this growing issue the organization Jubilee Havens partnered with Southern Ground Coffeehouse in Gulfport to help raise awareness this month. Tonight, the…
Dark Truth of Human Trafficking: Part 1 of Special Report by Gabby Easterwood
There are 32 million victims of human trafficking world-wide, and if you think it's not a problem in South Mississippi, that's just not the case, as News 25 Today’s Gabby Easterwood shows us The Dark Truth of Human Trafficking in…
$100M to combat human trafficking awarded by Department of Justice
The U.S. Department of Justice announced last week it’s awarded more than $100 million in funding to combat human trafficking. These funds will go toward providing vital services to trafficking victims across the nation including those in Mississippi and here…
Dress Up and Help Fight Against Human Trafficking at Ocean Springs Gala
Advocates for Freedom, a group to help stop human trafficking and those who survive it, are holding a fundraising gala tonight in Ocean Springs. News 25 Today's Gabby Easterwood catches up with one event organizer to get all the details…
Scarlet Pearl to help victims of human trafficking
According to the Mississippi Department of Health, human trafficking affects 12 to 27 million men, women, and children worldwide. The Scarlet Pearl Casino and Resort wants to help those on the Gulf Coast who have been affected. On Thursday, August…
Mississippi House passes human trafficking bill
In a bipartisan move, the Mississippi House of Representatives passed House Bill 571 which strengthens the state’s human trafficking laws. The bill passed by a vote of 115-1. Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing criminal industries with 100,000…
‘Better Together 2019’ Crime Symposium
The Advocates for Freedom organization hosted the ‘Better Together 2019’ Crime Symposium in Gulfport to raise awareness on issues like gang violence and sex trafficking. The symposium brings different organizations on the Coast together to sharpen their skills and learn…
The National Human Trafficking Hotline Award
This morning, officials from Mississippi’s Center for Violence Prevention stopped by Gulfport City Hall to award the Mississippi Federation of Republican Women for their efforts to raise human trafficking awareness in the state. The Mississippi Federation of Republican Women chose…
Man arrested for human trafficking
A Gulfport man has been arrested for human trafficking. According to Sheriff Troy Peterson, 30-year-old Maxwell Phillips is being held on a felony charge of human trafficking after law enforcement conducted a search warrant in the Town Suites room 313…