Research into Minnesota Safe Harbor program revealed that more sex trafficking victims and sexually exploited minors are getting help than in years past.
According to the data, 1,423 children and young adults received treatment or housing through the state’s Safe Harbor program between 2015 and 2017. That number is up 359 over a one-year period from 2014-2015 when the program was first evaluated. The increase can tell two different stories. For starters, it’s great that more children and teens are getting the help they need to escape the sex trafficking trade, but it’s also concerning that this many more people need help, suggesting that sex trafficking is still a huge problem in Minnesota.
Sex Trafficking Statistics
Here’s a closer look at some of the other findings from the study:
- Hennepin County, St. Louis County and Olmsted County are the top three counties for Safe Harbor Referrals.
- Participants in the Safe Harbor program range in age from 5 to 48. The average age of someone receiving services is 16.
- 83 percent of victims are female, 37 percent are white, 26 percent are black, 14 percent are multiracial and 9 percent are American Indian.
- An estimated 26,000 Minnesota men, or about one percent of the state’s population, have purchased sex in the past year.
- Roughly 60 percent of the victims live outside the Twin Cities metro area, suggesting that the notion the sex trafficking only happens in big cities isn’t true.
“This is a statewide problem — I think that’s the bottom line. This is not an urban issue or a rural issue,” said Minnesota Health Commissioner Ed Ehlinger. “This is a public health issue that all of us are responsible for.”
Ramsey County Attorney John Choi agreed, saying that smaller agencies around the state are starting to realize that sex trafficking may be an issue in their community.
“Not every sheriff or police chief or prosecutor might say this is happening in my community, but it’s changed,” said Choi. “The attitudes about whether or not this is actually happening or [is] a problem is changing.”
Combating sex trafficking is of even heightened importance as Minneapolis gears up to host the 2018 Super Bowl in February. The annual game is often viewed as the event associated with the most sex trafficking in one area, and police want buyers and sellers to know that they will be hard at work to prevent these crimes from happening long before the game kicks off.
If you or someone you know has been exploited by sex trafficking or needs help in the legal system, reach out to Appelman Law Firm today.
