MYST Project 2019 Data Brief

Data from the 2019 Minnesota Student Survey

This is the first population-based prevalence estimate of high school students who report trading sex for something of value (including trafficking of minors for sexual exploitation). Trading sex presents many harms to young people. In 2019, the Minnesota Student Survey – a tri-annual census of young people in Minnesota’s schools – included a new question for 9th and 11th graders:

This is likely an underestimate because the MSS is completed by students enrolled in school. It does not include youth who were not in school on the day of the survey or who do not attend school. Young people may also be reluctant to answer “yes” for many reasons, including shame or fear.

^{1 This estimate of 5,000 young people is based on the 2018 Census number of 15-19 year-olds in the State of Minnesota. We used this formula 1.4% of 357,809 = 5009.}

Minnesota's response: Safe Harbor

Youth who trade sex are considered sexually exploited under Minnesota’s Safe Harbor law. Sexual exploitation is a public health issue that harms individuals, communities, and populations across the state. The Minnesota Department of Health Safe Harbor program receives state and federal funds to support a comprehensive response through regional navigators, services providers, and tribal governments. In addition to services, training, and protocol development, the Safe Harbor system supports specialized housing, outreach, and investigations through partnership with public health, human services, and public safety.

The map shown here reflects the Safe Harbor eight regional navigator areas as of January 2020.