Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center
Report date
April 2022
What has been most instrumental to your progress?
While working with varied task force members we gained insight into the trends within our respective fields when working with exploited persons; we then used that information to direct what we envisioned to be beneficial means of connecting victim/survivors with services to facilitate their exit from prostitution/exploitation. Exit ramps and supportive services are crucial for those previously in prostitution and/or commercial sexual exploitation and those still being harmed within exploitative situations. We identified that removing criminal liabilities from those being exploited does not provide as much benefit as one would think if we do not combine criminal liability relief with well-funded, ongoing supportive services.
Developing outlines for exit ramps was modeled after the current Safe Harbor for Youth protocols but included elements to address the differing needs of adults. Because of the utilization of the existing framework there is less work to develop the necessary protocols, but more work to identify points of contact within these areas and develop agency relationships within our own service areas. This is crucial to ensuring open doors to exit ramps and support.
Developing outlines for exit ramps was modeled after the current Safe Harbor for Youth protocols but included elements to address the differing needs of adults. Because of the utilization of the existing framework there is less work to develop the necessary protocols, but more work to identify points of contact within these areas and develop agency relationships within our own service areas. This is crucial to ensuring open doors to exit ramps and support.
Working with the team to develop our extensive Frequently Asked Questions document regarding this issue was a key activity in not just ensuring members of the task force were on the same page, but also in facilitating education within our communities. The thirty-five-page document diligently dispels commonly believed myths around the issues of commercial sexual exploitation, trafficking, criminality, and social realities to explain why Safe Harbor for All is the best legal model for Minnesota. It was accomplished by utilizing a combination of research and lived experience testimony from survivors that had been compiled by coalition members.
The current document is quite large and can be intimidating to some. We would like to take out the most crucial of elements and develop a shorter, handout-style FAQ for community events.
The current document is quite large and can be intimidating to some. We would like to take out the most crucial of elements and develop a shorter, handout-style FAQ for community events.
Key lessons learned
The most obvious – but also most profound – lesson learned in the past year was that social change comes with a lot of challenges in community and within relationships. Assumptions can sometimes be made that this work should be easier since we all have a passion for it, but social change still forces us to confront our own personal long-standing beliefs and narratives that often ultimately only succeed in maintaining the status quo. Change is uncomfortable, and it can be difficult to be open-minded, meet people where they are, and find common ground without sacrificing the core beliefs of the mission. Within this work there will always be some competing stakeholder interests and differences in opinions on what our best path forward might be. It can be difficult to recognize where concessions could be made in order to reach the end goal.
We are also reminded of the reality that change does not happen fast, especially when it challenges long held stereotypes that exist within a sexist, patriarchal system. The process happens one step at a time and has taught respect for just how long it can take.
We are also reminded of the reality that change does not happen fast, especially when it challenges long held stereotypes that exist within a sexist, patriarchal system. The process happens one step at a time and has taught respect for just how long it can take.
Reflections on inclusive, collaborative or resourceful problem-solving
For our particular project/goal, collaborative efforts are crucial. This kind of initiative cannot progress without an expansive network of supporters and participants. Our project has gone through a few waves of collaboration, with members coming in and bowing out. There has been exciting growth, painful growth, and a lack of growth. Some of this stemmed from what was perceived as a lack of inclusivity despite a network of invested organizations, community members, and survivors. This was a learning opportunity for us and we are determined to redevelop the coalition with more inclusivity and varied voices from our stakeholders.
The difficult part of these elements is moving beyond the inclusivity piece and bringing people into a more collaborative role. Capacity is limited for many who work in fields directly related to exploitation and trafficking, so even if the passion and support are there, sometimes there are difficulties maintaining engagement. Being able to offer some financial compensation has increased this capacity; it also honors those willing to share their lived experiences and consequential expertise.
The difficult part of these elements is moving beyond the inclusivity piece and bringing people into a more collaborative role. Capacity is limited for many who work in fields directly related to exploitation and trafficking, so even if the passion and support are there, sometimes there are difficulties maintaining engagement. Being able to offer some financial compensation has increased this capacity; it also honors those willing to share their lived experiences and consequential expertise.
If you could do it all over again...
Looking back on the experiences over the last year, welcomed advice would be to open up the space for more voices and encourage those engaged to share ownership of the project. There were feelings of being excluded, not heard, or ignored when differing opinions arose. These feelings had been developing before the grant period but had a ripple effect through the coalition at the start of the grant period causing a derailment of our progress. Flexibility is necessary and the ability to meet people where they're at when details are different but the end goal is the same is crucial to the success of an initiative of this nature. There will always be conversations to be had regarding agency and individual roles and assets with the project. Such conversations are necessary and should be ongoing. Checking in with coalition members throughout the process about their roles, engagement, capacity, feelings, and concerns isn't an action meant to slow down the project, but rather an action that must take precedence in order to keep the project moving forward. We cannot make assumptions regarding people's position or engagement.
One last thought
We are excited for the second half of this grant as we move forward increasing our capacity through engagement with national organizations supporting the partial decriminalization model for those being sexually exploited and/or prostituted, as well as strong, mutual, and supportive engagement and relationships with stakeholders within Minnesota. Community interest in this issue has grown immensely over this short time period and the project will see greater success if we use that political interest and capital.