HILLSBORO, Ore. – The Washington County DA's Office joins with the Washington County Child Abuse Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) and Safety Compass in proudly announcing a new partnership to help victims and survivors of child sex trafficking.

On March 29, 2018, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum finalized the award of a Federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant to the Washington County Child Sex Trafficking Task Force. This grant will support ongoing efforts to combat child sex trafficking by funding Safety Compass services in Washington County. Safety Compass is a non-profit organization that provides culturally specific advocacy services for victims and survivors of commercial sexual exploitation. Safety Compass currently operates in Marion and Clackamas counties, and this new VOCA grant will allow Safety Compass to expand to provide trauma-informed and confidential advocacy services to victims and survivors of sex trafficking in Washington County.

Child sex trafficking is an increasing problem throughout Oregon. These cases are difficult to investigate and prosecute. The Washington County DA's Office and Washington County Child Abuse MDT have long worked with community partners to combat child sex trafficking. This new partnership with Safety Compass will enhance services for these vulnerable victims and survivors.

The Washington County Human Trafficking Task Force is a subcommittee of the Child Abuse MDT. Led by the DA's Office, the Human Trafficking Task Force includes Washington County law enforcement agencies, Safety Compass, DHS, the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force, Washington County Juvenile Department and CARES NW. The purpose of the Task Force is to coordinate sex trafficking investigations and prosecutions in Washington County while ensuring victims and survivors receive trauma-informed advocacy services.