Commercially Sexually Exploited Children

Planning and Training

"In my previous positions as a child welfare administrator, I saw children as young as 12 being prostituted. This is a tragedy we cannot ignore. The Seattle Human Services Department is working with law enforcement, local governments, and other community partners to provide these young people with the help they urgently need." Dannette R. Smith, Director, Seattle Human Services Department

The Seattle Human Services Department, in conjunction with the Seattle Police Department and other partners, is developing a coordinated community response plan that will result in the improvement of the community's response to and support for commercially sexually exploited children, and increased accountability for those who exploit them.

To guide this process, the Regional Steering Committee, representing a variety of sectors (youth programs, schools, medical and mental health agencies, sexual assault and domestic violence agencies, criminal justice agencies, etc.) from Snohomish, King, and Pierce counties, is meeting on a regular basis to craft and implement a strategic plan to achieve our goals.

This effort began with a one-day stakeholder's meeting attended by more than 80 community members on August 31, 2010 in Seattle City Hall. Councilmember Tim Burgess and Seattle Human Services Director Dannette Smith gave opening remarks. Kaffie McCullough, Campaign Director for Atlanta's "A Future. Not a Past," was the keynote speaker and she talked about Georgia's statewide response, which has been in development for 10 years.

Seattle PostGlobe reporter Eric Rutherford covered the forum.

The Regional Steering Committee has been meeting since Fall of 2010 and has developed a regional vision, mission, and values statements. The group is also working on the draft for a 3-5 year strategic plan for the region and will be presenting recommendations to the Seattle Human Services Department. These recommendations will be vetted through several advisory groups (survivors, youth, systems stakeholders, local/national experts) and an interdisciplinary HSD team. The final strategic plan will be unveiled to the community in October 2012 – Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Upcoming Training: Commercial Sexual Exploitation 101 Training

In an effort to raise awareness and increase victim identification and referrals, the Human Services Department is coordinating 4-6 trainings, annually, on Commercial Sexual Exploitation 101. Information to be covered include:

• Framework and cultural context of commercial sexual exploitation
• Language of the sub-culture
• Vulnerable pathways into prostitution
• Engagement and safety planning
• Mental health and trauma bonding
• Physical health needs
• Prostitution laws
• Skill building

Service providers and community members are encouraged to attend this 8-hour training. The cost is $15. Please see below:

Full-Day Trainings

Wednesday, October 17, 2012
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: Bertha Landes Knight- Seattle City Hall (600 - Fourth Avenue, Seattle)
Registration Deadline: Friday, October 5, 2012; 5 p.m.
Register online now

Friday, December 7, 2012
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: Bertha Landes Knight- Seattle City Hall (600 - Fourth Avenue, Seattle)
Registration Deadline: Friday, November 23, 2012; 5 p.m.
Register online now

Seattle Human Services Department
Street address: 700 5th Avenue, Suite 5800, Seattle, WA 98104
Mailing address: PO Box 34215, Seattle, WA 98124-4215

Phone: 206-386-1001
Fax: 206-233-5119
TTY/TTD: 206-233-2778

Accommodations for people with disabilities provided upon request.