Human trafficking affects youths in our community
Mikki Trowbridge | February 28, 2010 | StatesmanJournal.com
When I tell someone I'm writing about human trafficking, the common response is "in which country?"
Today's column, unfortunately, focuses on human trafficking as a local problem.
For various reasons, the few statistics we have under-represent the severity of the issue. However, we know that Portland has the largest sex industry per capita in the country and that Oregon plays a major role in the lucrative Pacific coast trafficking circuit because of the I-5 corridor, our international airport and proximity to Canada.
Oregon police encounter three to five sex trafficking victims per week: 80 percent are female and 50 percent are minors.
Based on conservative federal averages, it is estimated that Marion County alone has at least 2,400 homeless or runaway youth at any point in time. One of three teens on the street will be lured toward prostitution within 48 hours of leaving home, with the average age of entry into prostitution being 12-14.
Outreach Workers from HOME Youth & Resource Center, our local drop-in center for at-risk youth, have observed that runaway and homeless youths frequently end up trading "survival sex" for shelter and food.
Male youths involved in survival sex tend to have been on the streets longer, while female youths tend to become entangled with new, adult "boyfriends" within days of running away or becoming homeless and eventually disappearing from HOME's radar.
In some cases, the adult male lures the female youth across state lines into isolation from familiar support networks, frequently using drugs and alcohol for compliance.
We are just beginning to address and understand this issue locally, so building awareness is critical. Here are a few ways you can help:
Get Educated: Go to www.oregonoath.org to learn about human trafficking and the Oregon Human Trafficking Task Force.
Raise Awareness: Contact Mid-Valley Women's Crisis Service at (503) 378-1572 to schedule a free training on human trafficking for your workplace or community group.
Make a Report: If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, call the Women's Crisis Service Crisis Line at (503) 399-7722.
Mikki Trowbridge is the Community Impact Director at United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley. Mikki can be contacted at 503-363-1651, or by e-mail at mtrowbridge@unitedwaymwv.org.
Human Trafficking Roseburg
While the majority of human trafficking may occur in larger cities, those investigating should not overlook smaller communities like Roseburg. I was first propositioned in Roseburg when I was 17. I have met social loops where it was considered normal for a girl to be making extra money doing this when she was 16 or 17. Some people in this loop get foster kids. This is the stealth syndicate. The tier of society where it's considered normal and no one talks about it. And it's quite common in Roseburg and Douglas Counnty. The barrier of secrecy is also maintained by women, as well as men, because it's cultural. Like a religion. I had to be away from people for awhile before I even understood that it is WRONG. So, from the bad side of town, right up to higher class and professionals, people should be looked at a second time. It's time that we should all ask a few questions of our neighbors, and ourselves.
Human Trafficking Roseburg Oregon
re: Human Trafficking Roseburg Oregon http://www.traffickstop.iwarp.com/
is a Roseburg based website that provides information and links to many other sites.