Sex trafficking in Minnesota

The embrace of online dating during the pandemic has also led to an increase in sexual exploitation, according to a Minnesota organization working to prevent youth sex trafficking.

Even before the pandemic, the vast majority of young people who entered prostitution were recruited online by traffickers on social media platforms, chat rooms and dating websites.

MPR News host Angela Davis hosted a panel discussion earlier this month on sex trafficking sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Arden Hills-Shoreview and New Brighton-Mounds View.

A survivor of sex trafficking shared her experiences and representatives from law enforcement and community groups talked about what has changed in the last decade since the Minnesota Safe Harbor Law shifted how juveniles involved in sex trafficking are treated — from criminals to victims and survivors.

Guests:

• Detective Paul Kroshus is a detective with Woodbury City Police Department who investigates sexual exploitation and trafficking. He is a member of the East Metro Human Trafficking Task Force. 

• Cynthia Terlouw is the founder and executive director of Terebinth Refuge, a shelter for women who have been sexually exploited or trafficked. 

• Eleana Lukes is a trafficking survivor and a case manager and crisis advocate at Terebinth Refuge. 

• Jessica Bartholomew is a retired police officer and founder and executive director of A.C.T. United — Anti Child Trafficking — a nonprofit organization that provides sexual exploitation and prevention education to churches and schools. 

To listen to the full conversation you can use the audio player above.

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