Women's Advocates is a new recipient of Safe Harbor funding from the Minnesota Department of Human Services and the Minnesota Department of Health, which will allow our agency to provide housing and supportive services to youth who have experienced or are at-risk of experiencing sexual exploitation. As a domestic violence shelter and agency, the people we serve are at increased risk of experiencing or having experienced sexually exploitation, according to Safe Harbor research. 

Safe Harbor Law (2014) dictates that youth under 18 can no longer be criminalized for commercial sex and that youth under 24 are eligible for trauma-informed supportive services to help them heal. The Safe Harbor network and programming came after further investigation that showed youth were being re-victimized in the criminal justice system, the ages of youth being trafficked into sexual exploitation were decreasing, and testimonies of youth needing supportive services to intervene in sexual exploitation. At Women's Advocates, the Safe Harbor grants fund a caseload of 6 youth aged 18-25 (which is now at capacity), housing support, resourcing, and Safe Harbor outreach. Women’s Advocates will also now start screening for sexual exploitation via our 24/7 Crisis Line and Live Chat.

Thank you, Ally Circle!

We’d like to thank the businesses and corporations that have allied with Women’s Advocates to invest in our continuous and historic commitment to ending the cycle of domestic violence in the Twin Cities area and beyond. View the whole Ally Circle here.