Six teenage girls identified as being exploited and trafficked on 82nd Ave in Portland
Safety Compass News Release | May 7th, 2025:
Since Wednesday, April 15th, 2026, Safety Compass has responded on-scene to multiple requests for emergency response and advocacy from Portland Police Bureau’s Human Trafficking Unit. The Portland Police Bureau’s Human Trafficking Unit (HTU) and East Precinct Officers identified six teenage girls, ranging in age from 13 years old to 17 years old, who were being commercially sexually exploited and trafficked along 82nd Avenue. After receiving immediate services and advocacy, all minors identified were reunited with their families or placed in the care of Oregon Department of Human Services, per the Portland Police Bureau.
While Safety Compass’ organization-wide statistics show that approximately 50% of survivors that experience commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking are minors at the time of identification locally, this is an especially concerning number of minors to be identified in such a short period of time.
Safety Compass accompanies PPB’s HTU on missions that identify and make contact with commercially sexually exploited individuals. Culturally-specific advocates are prepared to provide immediate advocacy and crisis response in these situations, and collaborate across agencies to help youth receive wrap-around, trauma-informed care.
Safety Compass Statement Regarding Language:
Human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation involve dynamics centering on force, fraud, and coercion. Because these cases involve victims of sex abuse, physical assault, rape, and many other kinds of violence, it’s important to frame language in a way that highlights the violence that accompanies these crimes. This is especially relevant when talking about minors. There is no such thing as a child prostitute, and children cannot engage in prostitution, as they are victims of crime. For this reason, Safety Compass uses terms like, “person/minor experiencing commercial sexual exploitation and/or trafficking”, “victims” when referring to victims of crime, and when appropriate, “survivor”.
If you or someone you know has experienced commercial sexual exploitation or human trafficking and is in need of immediate assistance, call our 24/7 confidential hotline to speak with an advocate immediately at: 971-235-0021.
