Sex trafficking looks different depending on the victim: Adults who get into a relationship only to be terrorized and forced into having sex with strangers. Teenagers who are seduced by an older man or woman and then drugged or otherwise coerced into selling their bodies in exchange for food, drugs or a place to live. Children who are sold, sometimes by their parents.
The Sun Journal talks to victims and some of the people trying to stop it from happening in Maine for a story in Sunday’s paper.
In the meantime, here are resources for victims:
Polaris national hotline: 1-888-373-7888 or text BEFREE (233733)
Sexual Assault Prevent & Response Services: 1-800-871-7741 or www.sapars.com
The Maine Domestic Violence Statewide Helpline: 1-866-83-4HELP
New Beginnings Emergency Shelter: 795-4070 (serves young people ages 12 to 19 from all over the state. Access to shelter, crisis counseling, and free family mediation services)
New Beginnings Outreach Program: 795-6831 or Outreach Drop-In Center at 245 Lisbon Street, Lewiston (serves youth and young adults at risk of homelessness in Androscoggin, Franklin, and Kennebec counties, connecting them with emergency supplies, referrals, and help getting housing. Drop-In Center provides a safe place, with access to meals, clothing, shower, phone/mail and recreation.)
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- Jasmine Marino, a survivor of the domestic sex trafficking trade, speaks at a conference on human trafficking in New Gloucester in April.
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