LWV's Talking Points: Exploitation & Sex Trafficking (June 2019)

Sunday, June 9, 2019

Teens at risk of exploitation and sex trafficking

Signs and behavioral changes associated with trafficking

Social media as a tool for predatory grooming

The Safe Harbor law and decriminalization of victims

Role of the Link non-profit and their service divisions

The No Wrong Door initiative for trauma-informed care

Survivor advocacy and the role of lived experience in policy

The I Am Priceless awareness campaign

Systemic barriers to recovery and the impact of parental involvement

Areas of Interest (5)

Rising risk of child sex trafficking in affluent western suburbs via social media.
The effectiveness of the No Wrong Door policy in replacing criminalization with social services.
The role of sports figures in founding social safety nets for vulnerable youth.
The I Am Priceless campaign as a response to trafficking spikes during major sporting events.
Internal critique of social work agencies that force parental involvement in dangerous home situations.

Notable Quotes (4)

Exploitation is anytime a young person or adult engages in any sort of sexual activity for exchange of anything of value.
— Cora Burns

ExploitationDefining the difference between exploitation and trafficking.

I just think being on that journey you have to have people who actually care about you... there's no reason to be made fun of.
— Simeon Aheh Williams

RecoveryDiscussing the recovery needs of trafficking survivors.

Safe harbor for all is in legislate right now so that is a possibility that it will get passed for anybody that's picked up... they'll actually be directed to services.
— Cora Burns

LegislationExplaining the expansion of the Safe Harbor law.

The I am priceless name came because I mean you don't put a price on what's really precious.
— Simeon Aheh Williams

AdvocacyExplaining the origin of the awareness campaign.

People (6)

Kay EricksonHost

League of Women Voters of South Tonka

Peg D'abordPresident

South Tonka League of Women Voters

Cora BurnsSupportive Services Manager

Safe Harbor division at The Link

Simeon Aheh WilliamsMember

Survivor Advisory Committee at The Link

Jim MarshallFormer Minnesota Vikings player

Co-founder of The Link

Oscar ReedFormer Minnesota Vikings player

Co-founder of The Link

Places Mentioned

South Tonka, MinnesotaNorth side of MinneapolisPrior Lake (Safe Harbor shelter location)State Capitol (Minnesota)Rural and southern Minnesota

Events & Meetings (1)

Talking Points program series on teens in western suburbs

Ordinances & Resolutions (2)

Safe Harbor Law

Decriminalized youth victims of exploitation, focusing on service redirection instead of prosecution.

Safe Harbor for All

Legislative proposal to extend immunity and service redirection to all victims of trafficking regardless of age.

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