Safe Harbor Law
Safe Harbor Law makes it safer for you to ask for help, and makes help more readily available.
Safe Harbor Law
In the past, if you were under the age of 18 and engaging in prostitution, Minnesota law treated you as a juvenile delinquent and prosecuted you as a criminal. The recently passed Safe Harbor Law changed that.
Now, youth who engage in prostitution or survival sex are seen as victims and survivors (not criminals) and are entitled to shelter and services.
Safe Harbor Law includes these key changes to Minnesota law:
- Sexually exploited youth under 18 in Minnesota are now protected by law and are no longer seen as criminals
- Services are now available statewide for youth victims of prostitution and survival sex through the No Wrong Door program
- Increased penalties for abusers and purchasers (“johns”)
To read more about the Safe Harbor law and No Wrong Door visit Minnesota Department of Health’s http://www.health.state.mn.us/injury/topic/safeharbor
You Have Options
If you or someone you know is the victim of sexual exploitation, or child trafficking, you have the right to supportive, healing, and empowering services. Call the Minnesota Day One Crisis Hotline at 1.866.223.1111.