Milwaukee’s Sex Trafficking Epidemic & the Impact of Re-Victimization on our Youth

So much of the work we do at Pathfinders is focused on providing advocacy and empowering services for youth who are experiencing trafficking and exploitation. In addition to direct services, our team also places great emphasis on raising community awareness about these issues, and ensuring that youth with lived experience have a platform to influence systems change.

Recently, Pathfinders convened a community-wide conversation to discuss re-traumatization for youth who have experienced trafficking. The discussion focused on what ideal systems and practices would look like to provide the best possible support for young people experiencing sexual exploitation. The panel covered many topics, from proposed criminal justice system reforms to the power of words and language.

We are proud to share this brief about how the language we use affects the handling of sex trafficking cases, how current processes can re-victimize youth and what our community can do to support its young people in crisis.