Sex Trafficking and Safe Harbors in Minnesota: Resource for Health Care Workers

Human Trafficking is a human rights violation that involves the exploitation of a person for labor or sex. Minnesota has become a leader in the nation in its response to sex trafficking by focusing on holding perpetrators accountable and changing our response to commercially sexually exploited minors. In 2014, Minnesota’s Safe Harbor law went into effect. Under the Safe Harbor law, youth who engage in prostitution are no longer criminals, but rather victims and survivors of sexual exploitation. Now that the law has passed, we must ensure effective implementation of the law and work towards preventing trafficking before it occurs. Health care workers play a vital role in implementing the Safe Harbor law and preventing and responding to sex trafficking in Minnesota.