Oct. 6 marked the first local program sponsored by The ProYouth Initiative to build awareness of the growing crimes against children impacting the nation and, sadly, right here in Mississippi.
Hosted at the James C. Kennedy Wellness Center in Charleston, area citizens, school and business leaders, church representatives and others joined together to learn and reaffirm Tallahatchie County’s commitment to youth safety and life success.
Special Agent Samantha Hampton of the FBI, Crimes Against Children, was the guest speaker.
Hampton is assigned to the Northern District of Mississippi, where she covers 37 counties. Her knowledge of youth exploitation and what we can do to prevent such crimes is firsthand.
Hampton was joined by Tallahatchie County Sheriff Jimmy Fly in discussion of incidences and legal intervention, along with measures that aid law enforcement in pursuit of perpetrators.
The FBI works closely with local, state and foreign partners in protecting children. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) is an example of a private, nonprofit organization with which the FBI works.
During the presentation, signs of sextortion were discussed.
Sextortion is a criminal act and a form of sexual exploitation, utilized by bad actors who coerce a minor by using, or threatening to use, images or videos previously obtained to demand additional images and videos that are sexual in nature and/or to demand monetary compensation from the youth for the threats to stop.
A majority of these contacts are made online with the bad actor pretending to be someone near the age of the youth and coming across as a friendly communicator. That “friendly” demeanor quickly changes once images and videos are shared, leaving the youth confused, scared and highly vulnerable.
Online safety measures for children were discussed, along with how parents, guardians, family members and others can help.
Pictured is part of the crowd on hand for an Oct. 6 event about child exploitation held at the James C. Kennedy Wellness Center in Charleston. (Photo by Charlotte Englund)
Charlotte Englund, director of The ProYouth Initiative, stressed that open communication to educate/forewarn, empower and protect our children is essential. It is vital that they and their friends know that revealing inappropriate behavior or contact by any person heretofore unknown may prevent sextortion, trafficking, abduction and abuse — and reporting such goes without scolding or punishment to the youth.
Reporting such incidences or suspicions may be confidential; but, regardless of confidentiality, always without repercussion to the youth involved.
Open communication is vital whether the child talks with a parent or family member, a school counselor, law enforcement or calls a tip line. All avenues can save a lifetime of scarring, a life itself and can avert other dangers associated with human trafficking and child exploitation.
Signs and the impact of the sexual exploitation of children and human trafficking were discussed.
The NCMEC operates a CyberTipline, a place where the public and electronic service providers can report suspected online and offline child sexual exploitation.
The CyberTipline, www.cybertipline.com, received 21.3 million reports in 2025.
Per NCMEC, emerging threats last year showed:
» 1.4 million reports of online enticement
» 137 reports daily of financial sextortion
» 3,000 reports of sadistic online exploitation
» 323% increase over 2024 in child sex trafficking
» 158,000 images and videos categorized as generative AI scams since 2023
Phone numbers offered for safekeeping and contact include:
» NCMEC: 1-800-843-5678
» FBI: 1-800-225-5324
Englund expressed appreciation to guest speakers and attendees, along with special thanks to corporate sponsors Sayle Oil Company; Sunflower Management Group; and Tallahatchie General Hospital/James C. Kennedy Wellness Center.
A repeat of this program has been requested, along with additional local speaker events.
To participate in future awareness programs, email charlotte@ProYouthInitiative.org to be added to the announcement list and/or to join The ProYouth Initiative as a patron.
The nonprofit organization touts youth safety and success as top priorities, providing programs to avert grooming, trafficking, abuse and early experimentation with drugs.
