The Origins of Safe Harbor 4 All 

Breaking Free's 2013 DeMANd CHANGE march

The policy model of partial decriminalization (continue criminalizing buyers, exploiters, and trafficker, end criminalization of those prostituted) is known by many names, including, but not limited to, the Equality Model, the Abolitionist Model, and the Nordic/Swedish model. 

​We stand in solidarity with survivors and allies at the local, state, national, and international scale who have tirelessly worked to promote this policy initiative for the last few decades. 

Minnesota advocates have a long legacy of being at the forefront of survivor-centered, innovative approaches to address gender-based violence in our communities. 

Central MN Sexual Assault Center's Stop Traffick: End Demand 2020 demonstration

In Minnesota, the Safe Harbor Law was passed in 2011 (with various changes and expansions in 2014 and 2016). This law began a paradigm shift. Sexually-exploited youth were no longer viewed as criminals or "juvenile delinquents," but instead as victims of sexual violence, exploitation, and trafficking who are not responsible for the harm/crimes perpetrated against them. This law also increased penalties for exploiters, buyers, and traffickers. 

In 2014, the state of Minnesota began implementing "No Wrong Door." No Wrong Door, as defined in the Minnesota Department of Health website, "is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, and multi-state agency approach. It ensures communities across Minnesota have the knowledge, skills and resources to effectively identify sexually exploited and at-risk youth. Youth are provided with victim-centered trauma-informed services and safe housing."  This network of supportive services, safe housing, and regional navigators now serves youth up to age 25. 

To learn more about the legislative timeline of the Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Youth Law, click HERE. ​

Minnesota's Safe Harbor/No Wrong Door is a groundbreaking model that laid a critical foundation for a statewide response to support and serve people who have experienced sexual exploitation. However, Minnesota cannot truly uphold the principle of "no wrong door" when adult survivors across the state continue to encounter closed doors. Victim/survivors should never be ineligible or denied Safe Harbor housing and services due to their age.

Safe Harbor/No Wrong Door has evolved, adapted, and will continue moving forward over the years. Now is the time to remove age restrictions and advocate for more funding so that adults can access Safe Harbor housing and services. 

Safe Harbor for All is a growing movement of people who stand and declare that sexual exploitation is a violation of human rights against people of all ages. We must end the criminalization of adult survivors and have quality services/housing for adult victims.

​All people are worthy and deserving of the basic human right to safety, dignity, and to live a life free of exploitation and sexual violence. No exceptions. 

​Let's make Minnesota the first state to truly provide a safe harbor for all survivors.

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“People with lived experience [in prostitution] suffer significant harms under the existing, fully criminalized system”

- Safe Harbor for All report
(Martin, et. al., 2018, p. 136)

SH4All 
​Organizational Support

Does your organization, agency, business, task force, faith community, coalition, school, or other program support the mission of Safe Harbor 4 All to end the criminalization of survivors of sexual exploitation, holding exploiters accountable, and increased funding for adult housing and services?

​​Contact us to add your logo to our growing list of supporters!

About the Safe Harbor for All report

​In 2017, the Minnesota Legislature requested that a statewide strategic assessment of sex trafficking/prostitution in Minnesota be conducted to identify and address the lived experiences of adults. The Advocates for Human Rights, the University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center, and Rainbow Research developed and implemented the strategic planning assessment and released the 2018 Safe Harbor for All Report, which compiled the findings of this historic assessment.

* The report was funded by a grant through the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), pursuant to an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature.
​**MDH and the report’s authors are not members of the SH4ALL-ITF.  

Safe Harbor for All: Report Recommendations

​The Safe Harbor for All report engaged close to 300 survivors and stakeholders and contains 19 recommendations. These recommendations include reforming Minnesota statutes to end the criminalization of adults being sexually exploited/prostituted. Penalties for those who are buying or trafficking victims would continue.

The report also includes a comprehensive list of housing, services, and support needed to assist those, of all ages, who have been harmed through sexual exploitation/trafficking. 

SH4All-ITF is working to ensure recommendations of the Safe Harbor For All report are implemented.

“Partial decriminalization is expected to alleviate many of the negative impacts on safety, health, and dignity which result from the inability of people with lived experience to call upon the services of police and courts to address significant violence committed by sex buyers and traffickers…”

- Safe Harbor for All report
(Martin, et. al., 2018, p. 121)