A Multifaceted Approach to Addressing Exploitation and Trafficking of Youth

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The exploitation and trafficking of youth is a crime that requires a multifaceted approach to address effectively. In response, Someplace Safe greatly enhanced its trafficking programming over the last year. Three new staff members were added to serve trafficking victims and survivors: Lupita Trickle, Aspen Myer, and Madison Hays. Lupita works with survivors of labor trafficking and exploitation of all ages. Aspen and Madison work with youth who are sexually exploited, sex trafficked, or at risk.

We encourage you to take a look at some key strategies that can help to address risks of exploitation and trafficking of youth in our communities:

  1. Prevention:
  • Education and Awareness: Educate the public, especially youth, about the signs of trafficking and exploitation. This includes recognizing grooming behaviors, understanding the risks associated with online interactions, and knowing how to seek help. All four regional youth advocates at Someplace Safe are certified to offer Safe Dates, a healthy relationships curriculum through Hazelden for youth ages 12 to 18. Five staff are certified to offer Not a Number, a human trafficking prevention curriculum to youth ages 12 to 18.
  • Strengthening Protective Factors: Addressing underlying factors that make youth vulnerable, such as poverty, homelessness, lack of access to education, and family instability is crucial. Providing support systems like after-school programs, mental health services, and safe housing options can also help.
  • Promoting Healthy Relationships: Teach children and adolescents about healthy relationships, consent, and boundaries.
  1. Intervention and Response:
  • Hotlines and Reporting Mechanisms: Promote accessible hotlines and reporting mechanisms for victims and concerned citizens to report suspected cases of trafficking. Someplace Safe advocates are available 24/7 at 800-974-3359.
  • Multidisciplinary Task Forces: Create collaborative teams involving law enforcement, social services, healthcare providers, and victim advocates to coordinate investigations, provide support to victims, and prosecute traffickers.
  • Trauma-Informed Care: Ensure that all interactions with victims, from law enforcement to service providers, are trauma-informed and prioritize their safety and well-being.
  1. Support for Survivors:
  • Safe Shelters and Transitional Housing: Safe and supportive shelters and transitional housing help survivors to recover and rebuild their lives.
  • Comprehensive Services: Offering a range of services, including medical care, mental health counseling, legal assistance, and job training, helps survivors to heal and reintegrate into society.
  • Empowerment and Advocacy: Empowering survivors to advocate for themselves and their rights, and support organizations that work to combat trafficking and exploitation is key to supporting survivors in their healing.
  1. Addressing Root Causes:
  • Combating Poverty and Inequality: Address systemic issues like poverty, inequality, and discrimination, which can increase vulnerability to trafficking.
  • Holding Traffickers Accountable: Utilize opportunities to share information and opportunities geared at strengthening laws and enforcement efforts to hold traffickers accountable for their crimes.

It’s important to remember that combating human trafficking and exploitation of youth requires a sustained and collaborative effort from governments, non-profit organizations, communities, and individuals. Someplace Safe is committed to this important work!

Watch for several learning opportunities in 2025 on the topic of human trafficking in Minnesota. We are kicking it off with a panel discussion on January 8 featuring service providers from across the state discussing human trafficking, including strategies for prevention, and intervention. Registration is free. More info can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/human-trafficking-awareness-month-panel-discussion-tickets-1116858266139?aff=oddtdtcreator

We will also be hosting a webinar on January 16 titled Trafficking of Minors: Mitigating Risk Factors & Enhancing Resilience. More information can be found on the Eventbrite page at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/trafficking-of-minors-mitigating-risk-factors-enhancing-resilience-tickets-1119969321389?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=1

For more information on upcoming events, training, or services available for victims and survivors of trafficking and exploitation, reach out directly to Anne Lafrienier-Ritchie, Regional Navigator, at anne.lr@someplacesafe.info.