The executive director of the Southwest Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center will use a recently-awarded grant to employ a full-time therapist to serve the victims of human trafficking.

“It’s a need that has not been fully met until now,” said Nic Ricceri of Brookhaven.

The grant will also provide for training for the staff to better respond to the needs of human trafficking victims.

Since 2020 the Southwest Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center has served 67 sex trafficking victims and three labor trafficking victims, Ricceri said. Many victims were trafficked within their home for drugs or money. Some victims received gifts from family members in exchange for sex or gifts were given to the caregivers, he said.

“We also saw many who fell victim to online predators and received reports of runaways who were preyed upon by sex traffickers,” he said.

While the grant will allow the non-profit to afford a therapist for a year, Ricceri said plans are in place to continue the position and to continue providing therapeutic services to trafficking victims and their families.

“The money will allow us to get the program started,” he said.

Ricceri received the grant at an award ceremony hosted by Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch. SMCAC was also recognized for its work with victims of trafficking.

The mission of SMCAC is to provide a safe, non-threatening place for child abuse victims and their families to receive a comprehensive array of services, which include the initial interview, court preparation, referral services, and on-site therapy services.

“We provide a variety of services at no cost to childhood victims of abuse and their families in Lincoln County as well as Pike, Copiah, Walthall and Amite counties,” Ricceri said. “We prioritize the child by assisting him or her with trauma recovery and ensuring future safety as authorities work to prosecute offenders.”