Assistance
Youth sexual exploitation
Our mission is to fight against the sexual exploitation of youth. We provide a range of services to help young survivors heal, including access to health care, counseling, emergency shelter, and case management. Our services are culturally aware, trauma-informed, and supportive of the LGBTQI+ community.
We can also work with communities and law enforcement partners to raise public awareness and bring traffickers to justice.
Youth experiencing exploitation are not alone. A network of supportive services in Hennepin County is ready whenever help is needed.
Get help
If someone is forcing or intimidating another person to perform sexual acts in exchange for something of value, such as money, shelter, food, drugs or status, that’s exploitation.
You have the right to control your body and your sexuality.
If you or someone you know is being exploited, we are here to help. Minnesota’s Safe Harbor law says you cannot be prosecuted if you are the one being exploited.
If you or someone else are in immediate danger, call 911.
Safe Harbor navigators
The Safe Harbor Regional Navigator in your region can provide information and connect you with services.
West Metro Safe Harbor Navigator
- The Link – Safe Harbor Division
- 612-871-0748
Navigators in other communities
Crisis services
Youth Services Network
- A youth-specific resource that can connect you to basic needs.
- Youth Services Network
Day One crisis hotline
- Advocates can connect you to resources across Minnesota.
- Call 866-223-1111
- Text 612-399-9995
- Day One
Hennepin Waypoint
- Search the online directory to find community resources for basic needs.
- Waypoint
Learn about sexual exploitation of youth
Sex trafficking and exploitation has severe, sometimes devastating effects on a victim’s mental and physical health for the rest of their life, and places them on a continuum of trauma.
Traffickers prey on youth who are already vulnerable
These vulnerabilities may include:
- Member of a community that experiences systemic inequities
- Early childhood trauma
- Involvement in the child welfare system
- Lack of support at school or at home
Traffickers use violence, coercion, fraud, or manipulation to compel a young person to engage in a sex act in exchange for something of value, such as money, drugs, food, shelter, rent, or membership/higher status in a gang or group.
Traffickers often disguise themselves as trusted adults or peers. They may be the youth’s partner, friend, or employer.
Identify the signs of sexual exploitation
- Money and belongings without an obvious source
- Unexplained absences at school, work or home
- Having unexplained hotel cards or pictures taken in hotel rooms
- Tattoos, brands or markings, which may be name of trafficker, cost code, other ways of being marked
- Searching applications or websites linked to sex trafficking
- A relationship with an older person that appears controlling, secretive or unexplained
- Bruising, burns, scars, malnutrition, repeated or ongoing illnesses, broken bones or extreme fatigue
- Trauma symptoms such as hypervigilance or constant agitation
Safe Harbor and No Wrong Door program
No Wrong Door is a part of the Safe Harbor network — a statewide network of victim-centered, trauma-informed services and safe housing.
Minnesota passed the Safe Harbor Law in 2011 to protect victims and survivors, treat them with dignity, and direct them to supportive services. Safe Harbor makes sure that sexually exploited youth are treated like victims, not criminals.
Safe Harbor Regional Navigators can provide information and connect youth to services in the community.