- The exploited youth are not Child Prostitutes, nor are they Prostitutes: They are victims.
- The average age of entry into the commercial sex industry in the U.S. is 12 years old (US Dept of Justice, Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section)
- Portland has at least 250 children currently being sex-trafficked – and those are only the ones known about by law enforcement and social services
- 1 in 5 pornographic images is a child - most are under age 5
- 80-90% of sexually exploited children have a history of being sexually abused as a child
- At least 75% of runaways are approached by a pimp within 48 hours
- Pimps recruit kids at malls, on the Max, bus lines and bus stops, parties, around schools, through other youth, and online.
- Over 80% of all kids lured into sex trafficking are solicited online
- Pimps brand girls by tattooing their name or gang name on their neck or elsewhere
- Mentoring Matters!-there are currently 2400 kids on the waiting list at Big Brothers/Big Sisters
- Less than 10% of sexually exploited children are those who have grown up with love, affection, attention, and the security of a stable home. Children need LOVE!
