Safe Harbor helps young people cope

Minnesota’s Safe Harbor Program served more youth from 2021 to 2023 than in previous years and found high levels of satisfaction with the program, according to a new evaluation report.

The Safe Harbor program is a multi-agency, statewide initiative designed to meet the needs of sex-trafficked and exploited young people through age 24. Under Minnesota’s Safe Harbor law, sexual exploitation and sex trafficking victims and survivors are protected from criminal prosecution and can access Safe Harbor services, including housing.

A substantial majority (95 percent) of youth survey respondents said they were satisfied with the organization from which they received Safe Harbor services, and 80 percent said they were satisfied with the services they received, such as housing.

Minnesota’s Safe Harbor law went into effect in 2011, and the program launched in 2014. Between April 2021 and March 2023, Safe Harbor enrolled 1,494 youth and young adult clients in the program. This was an increase over previous three-year.

PAVSA (Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault) in Duluth is the navigator for programs in the northeast region of the state. PAVSA provides services to victims of sexual violence, including sexual exploitation and trafficking.

PAVSA can be reached at 218-726-1931.