An ALLIANCE
An ALLIANCE of businesses, philanthropists, law enforcement, the justice system, and nonprofits who have united as a movement to combat commercial sexual exploitation in Washington state.
A STRATEGY
A phased STRATEGY that addresses the most critical needs in the fight against commercial sexual exploitation in the areas of prevention, intervention, and restoration. Each phase of the strategy is created by experts in the anti-trafficking field, including survivors with lived experience.
A FUND
A FUND that receives tax-deductible donations from SAFE partners and community members and invests those funds in qualified, vetted organizations who are moving the needle in fighting commercial sexual exploitation.
Learn more about the SAFE strategy
What IS Commercial
Sexual Exploitation?
Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is:
The exchange of sex or sexual acts for anything of value including money, drugs, food, shelter, protection, or other basics of life.
CSE takes various forms, including:
Prostitution, pornography, sex tourism, and other forms of transactional sex.
We can no longer hide our heads, believing Commercial Sexual Exploitation doesn’t happen here. It’s a local problem that requires a local solution.
– Barry Horn – Bellevue businessman
Stand with us in the fight against commercial sexual exploitation
WHO IS BEING EXPLOITED?
Up to 500 youth are being prostituted in the Seattle/King County area at any one time
(and likely many more who haven’t been counted in Seattle and across the state)
In addition, thousands of adults are being sexually exploited every day in WA. Just because a victim turns 18 doesn’t mean they are suddenly “choosing” prostitution. 90% of victims (no matter their age) want OUT of the sex trade.
Hundreds of thousands of American children are being prostituted in the US at any one time.
2 million children worldwide are prostituted in the commercial sex trade.
Learn more about how commercial sexual exploitation affects Washington state
Who is doing the Exploiting?
A 2018 study revealed:
In 24-hours in Seattle, up to 7,900 men solicited sex online
Other studies have continually revealed:
- ~80% of buyers purchase sex by the time they’re 25 years old
- 50+% of Christian men in the US view porn on a regular basis
- There is a vast criminal network selling women and girls’ bodies everyday
Get other information and updates about SAFE
Why fight Against Sexual Exploitation?
Imagine your 14 year old daughter or granddaughter stuck in a hotel room in Bellevue for hours, with endless men coming to have sex with her…she has no control over what happens when the next guy comes in, and sometimes the situation turns bad. For example:
-
- 50-78% of people in prostitution have been raped
- 80-99% have experienced violence or been physically assaulted
- 44-83% have had a weapon used against them
- ~40% of men said that once they pay for it, they’re entitled to do whatever they want to the women they buy
Commercial Sexual Exploitation is dangerous and dishonors the dignity found in every human being.
Stand with us to fight for women and girls!
