Help us put an end to sexual slavery of domestic minors in the Portland area!
Event proceeds fund programs of healing and education at a shelter in Portland
Even when sexual slavery victims are rescued, their nightmare doesn't stop there. Oregon trafficking laws were loosely written, so there are no provisions for what happens after girls are rescued from the streets. There is no safe place for them to go except to detention where they are locked up like criminals, rather than the victims they are.
Underage sexual slavery victims need special treatment in order to successfully transition into society, including a safe place to heal, a program of intense trauma therapy, life skills training, and viable, sustainable job skills. Trafficking of young girls is a significant problem here in the Portland metro area, and the city is in desperate need of a shelter and rehabilitation program.
The Northwestern Region Soroptimist Clubs, Clubs, and their Northwest Coalition Against Trafficking, are working to provide a safe and secure shelter and programs for these young victims. A place where girls can regain their health and dignity, and a second chance at the life they so deserve. Human trafficking is the Hillsboro Soroptimist Club's signature project, and Battle of the Badges is their annual fundraiser for the shelter.
Sexual slavery is a global epidemic, but the cure starts here and you can be part of it. Contact the Hillsboro Soroptimist Club for more information. See you at the ballpark!
Funds will support a shelter for underage girls
Your family's participation can help
Many victims have nowhere to turn
Trafficking of underage minors is a significant problem for the Portland metro area
When most people think of children being trafficked for sexual slavery, they think of other countries, like Thailand, Cambodia and Russia. The sad truth is that sexual slavery is flourishing in our own backyard.
Right now, more than 300,000 American minor children are being trafficked in the United States for sexual slavery. Sadly, Trafficking of underage minors is a significant problem for the Portland metro area.
Shocking facts about sexual slavery in the Portland area:
- Portland is both a transition and destination city for sexual trafficking.
- Trafficking does not require movement from city to city, state to state or internationally. Any forced exploitation of women or girls for the pursuit of sex is a form of sexual slavery, the most prevalent sex crime in Portland.
- Three to five girls under the age of 18 are identified as victims of sexual slavery each week in Portland.
- The average age of girls recruited into sexual slavery in Portland is 12 to 14. Many are runaways, 11 to 16 years old, from abusive or foster homes.
- Within 48 hours of running away, these girls are lured into the sex trade by a pimp. Victims are isolated, deprived of food and sleep, beaten and drugged.
- Pimps target young girls with low self-esteem or family problems. They reach them through schools, movies, parks, dance clubs, malls and the Internet.
- These girls are forced to perform as many as 20 tricks per night.
- A pimp can make as much as $200,000 annually on just one little girl.
- Sexual trafficking, arms trafficking and drugs are the top three profit making businesses for organized crime groups.
- Sexual trafficking fuels the global AIDS epidemic. Sexual slavery victims don't get the choice to protect themselves or even receive basic medical care.
Any young girl out in public may be a target
Counseling helps many victims recover