Originally published Friday, November 6, 2009 at 2:04 PM
Comments (5)
E-mail article
Print view
Share
Invest in safe haven for teenage prostitutes
Budgets are tight, but Seattle Councilmember Tim Burgess' proposal for a shelter for teen prostitutes trying to get out of the business is a worthy investment.
THE horror stories are truly horrible: Young girls who become prostitutes endure beatings and rape at the hands of their pimps.
Later, when these teens decide they want to flee the degrading prostitution business, many have few ways to do so. They need a safe haven.
King County was preparing to contribute money to a two-year pilot project for young teens in prostitution when the budget crashed. Roughly $480,000 a year for the program was cut. Seattle City Councilmember Tim Burgess, a former cop and champion of the local program, was not willing to let it end there.
He is now seeking $150,000 in city money as part of 2010 budget deliberations. Good for Burgess for advocating for this program with the city budget also in the dumps. Burgess's colleagues should go along when the plan is reviewed in mid-November.
Seattle Times reporter Sara Jean Green wrote about a 19-year-old former teen prostitute who had to go to Los Angeles when she decided to stop selling her body. L.A. has one of three residential programs in the country for prostituted youth, and it helped her escape her pimp and his nasty friends.
Seattle should join the effort. The city would not have to pay for the program by itself. United Way is on board along with individual private donors, says Burgess.
The program will cost a lot more than currently pledged — a total of $1.4 million over two years.
Teen girls get into prostitution for a variety of lousy reasons. There are 300 to 500 juvenile prostitutes in the county, mostly girls, according to a recent report. The way to coax these teens out of lives of sexual abuse and degradation is to provide a safe place for them to go when they decide to make a critical change.
Burgess' spending is worthwhile. Other organizations and individuals also should step up to help. It's easy to dismiss these girls and young women — and their legitimate need for services and a way out. Too easy. They need help.
LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham talks about the upcoming MLS Cup final during after a team practice.

Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Italian lead prosecutor argues Knox motive was hatred
- Man shot in chest on E. Union Street in Capitol Hill
- Washington state wines make annual best-of list
- Lynnwood is reinventing itself — again
- Mariners Blog | A Mariners-Tigers swap makes a whole lot of sense for both teams
- Italian prosecutors request life sentence for UW student
- Craigslist adoption ad: A plea by young mother-to-be? A scam?
- Mariners to try Dustin Ackley at second base
- Mariners Blog | Dustin Ackley to move to second base; Mariners add six to 40-man roster
- Genetics anti-bias law takes effect
- Senate vote clears hurdle
194 - First key vote today on Senate health bill
166 - Mariners add six to 40-man roster
140 - Man shot in Capitol Hill
91 - Lynnwood is reinventing itself — again
87 - Italian lead prosecutor argues Knox motive was hatred
73 - Saturday links
50 - Bye week answers, volume four
49 - Prosecutor requests life in prison for Amanda Knox
43 - Historic health care bill nears key Senate vote
37
- Washington state wines make annual best-of list
- Nonprofits get creative using Twitter and Facebook to make donation easier
- Great places to cross-country ski for free (or almost) in the Methow
- Lynnwood is reinventing itself — again
- It's possible to recover a life lost to hoarding
- UW provost tapped for Nike's board
- 175 foster kids in Washington get 'forever families'
- Recipes: Sesame Pork Roast, Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes, Gingerbread with Lemon Sauce and more
- BofA moves to take control of Mastro building in Fremont
- Food-bank donations pour in after theft in Rainier Valley






