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to open a safe house for victims of sex trafficking

In a 2008 nationwide FBI sting, Portland had the second highest number of girls rescued. Rural towns in OR have also seen an increase, as noted by New York Times. Local girls are being bought and sold. Currently, there is no safe place for girls to leave their abusive pimps. This issue has brought together a rare and unusual coalition of non-profits, churches, government, community members, schools, and law enforcement from across the state. All believe that we can create an innovative program and safe house in Oregon where girls can be safe, cared for, and empowered.

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    Amy TrieuAmy Trieu shared this idea  ·   ·  Flag idea as inappropriate…  ·  Admin →

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      • Mollie RuskinMollie Ruskin commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

        As someone who has been working alongside anti-sex trafficking advocates, it has become abundantly clear that the most important thing we can do to support survivors is give them a safe and comfortable place to stay.

      • Alex BerkeAlex Berke commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

        This is an idea that we know will work, and we owe it to the too many girls around the state who are being trafficked to give it a shot.

      • olsendreolsendre commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

        This shelter will help address an issue that consistently goes overlooked in our communities and our state. Currently, law enforcement is often forced to put these victims - who are as young as 12 years old - in juvenile detention, where they are punished for being the victims of rape. With a safe, secure place to take these victims of child sexual exploitation it will be much easier for providers to begin to treat them for their injuries, and for the pimps and thugs who are trafficking them to be prosecuted. This safe house would go a long way towards addressing an issue that is plaguing our state and is occuring without much of the public or citizenry realizing it even exists.

      Million Dollar Ideas: Social Services

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      Guidelines for Posting Ideas

      Oregon was once known as a place where new, creative thinking flourished and people weren’t afraid to face hard truths and take bold steps. But lately Oregon conversations are full of pessimism and cynicism. We all know Oregon is in a world of hurt. We’ve grown accustomed to hearing what’s wrong here.

      Meyer Memorial Trust wants to help change the tone of the conversations and jumpstart action that again makes our state a place where ideas begin and grow. But we need your help. Tell us what you think is the most pressing issue facing Oregon that an investment of up to $1 million from MMT could provide meaningful support and leverage over the next two years. Give us your best ideas about the form that support and leverage might take.

      This is not a time for faint hearted suggestions. We're looking for bold and innovative approaches. And while the nonprofit sector is proving itself to be resilient, innovative and inspired in these times, we need to move beyond categorical thinking and invite all sectors to work together to address the issues we face before it's too late. This is not the place for an organization to make a pitch for funds on its own behalf. We’re looking for ideas that rise above individual organizations and constituencies.

      Asking for public input in this kind of forum is new for us. Frankly, we don’t quite know what to expect. But we have faith that Oregonians will take this process seriously and contribute their best thinking. We believe Oregonians are ready to reengage and stay engaged and work together to find solutions. But awarding the million dollars depends on the quality of ideas—if we don’t have sufficient participation or we don’t find a good match with MMT’s mission and values, we reserve the right to find another route to helping create a better future for Oregon.

      We are confident Oregonians won’t let us down. We expect lively—but civil—discussions. We desire innovative, entrepreneurial ideas…the kind Fred Meyer might have had.

      Thank you for jumpstarting a better future for Oregon by submitting your million dollar idea below and/or commenting on ideas already suggested.