Women’s Foundation of Minnesota

In Spring 2023, the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota partnered with  Research in Action to do additional analysis of the Missing & Murdered African American Women’s Task Force interview and focus group data focused on the Safe Harbor Initiative and sexual exploitation. 

Partners

Women’s Foundation of Minnesota

The Women’s Foundation of Minnesota invests in innovative community-based, community-led solutions to ensure safety, opportunity and pathways to economic security for women, girls, gender-expansive people and families across Minnesota.

Minnesota Missing and Murdered African American Women Task Force and Advisory Council

Established by the Minnesota state legislature, the Missing and Murdered African American Women Task Force (MMAAW) was the first of its kind in the nation. It examined and reported on systemic causes of violence against African American women and girls; policies, practices, and institutions that assist in perpetuation violence against African American women and girls; and measures necessary to address and reduce that violence. Learn more and read the report here.

Problem

In 2017, 30% of sex trafficking victims in Minnesota were Black despite Black people only making up less than 8% of the state population. An analysis of the 2019 Minnesota Student Survey (MSS) found that 1.7% of Black, African, or African American high school students surveyed reported trading sex, compared to 1.2% of white students, and 1.4% of students overall. Nearly 18% of Black transgender and gender diverse high school students surveyed reported trading sex compared to 4.2% of white students and 5.9% of students overall. The study also found that young people are much likelier to trade sex or experience sexual exploitation if they were living in juvenile correctional facilities, had been in foster care, had experienced sexual violence, or had unstable housing.

Process

This secondary analysis of the original data sets from the Missing and Murdered African American Women Task Force process was an opportunity for the RIA team to go deeper into one specific issue: Safe Harbor and sexual exploitation. The goal was to generate additional insights that could be of practical use to community members, organizations, and allies. The resulting report (1) articulates more detailed recommendations and pathways to design policy changes for those working within or supporting the Safe Harbor network and (2) shares recommendations for training and reform for system actors who are likely to refer people to Safe Harbor services.

Solutions

The “I Had to Advocate for Myself” report identifies five key recommendations to improve Safe Harbor services to Black women and girls:

  1. Increase the age range of people eligible for Safe Harbor. 

  2. Hire more Black women with lived experience of sexual exploitation into positions of service and leadership.

  3. Create specific shelter sites or space within existing shelters for Black women and girls.

  4. Allocate funds and other resources to initiatives created by and for Black women and girls.

  5. Target health, education, law enforcement, and child welfare systems for comprehensive training and skill-building to serve Black women and girls.

Report