Let’s begin with basic laws of our nation and state. Slavery and involuntary servitude is prohibited by the 13th amendment of the US constitution. In the United States engaging in sex with minors is a crime. Sex traffickers have put these two crimes together within our borders and against our youth to produce a crime so monstrous that surely noone can disagree it is evil. A perfect cultural storm also has allowed the crime to prosper in Oregon. Oregon’s share of children at-risk to sex trafficking is 2,650 children. The following conditions are making it possible and profitable to enslave children in commercial sex.

Increase in child abuse

• Usually begins with family or friends of family
• 40% of all girls/women have abuse experience
• 70% of all abuse cases involve children

Increase in homeless/runaway youth

• Sex for survival is one possible beginning to exploitation
• Sex addictions are fueling demand

The internet

• Has increased access, profitability, and privacy of sex 

The profits

• Sex trafficking represents 50% of worldwide human trafficking, which is the second largest and fastest growing criminal industry
• 1 child x 5 times/day x $500 per event x 365 days = $1 million per year

Oregon’s legal/cultural permissiveness

• Oregon gives commercial sex businesses “freedom of speech” protection

Low prosecution risk

• Oregon anti-trafficking and prostitution laws are relatively weak

Cultural beliefs

• Many believe that prostitution is “victimless” and that children who are involved are just “bad kids”

Insufficient police staff

• Portland Police has only a few dedicated vice officers

Few services available for rescued victims

• Few resources for long term, safe housing and permanent homes for these children
• Lack of comprehensive services
• No restitution (payments or services) available to US victims

Uninvolved communities and churches