Executive Summary
- Safety Compass has identified over 2,100 trafficking victims in Oregon since 2018.
- Approximately 50% of the identified individuals were minors.
- The organization was forced to cut staff by 40% due to federal and state funding freezes.
- Average age of first commercial sexual exploitation in the region is reported as 15.
WOODBURN, Ore. — Safety Compass, a survivor-advocacy organization based in Woodburn, has identified more than 2,100 individuals experiencing human trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation in Marion, Clackamas, and Washington counties since 2018. According to a report from the Safety Compass Office for Victims of Crime, approximately 50 percent of these identified individuals were minors at the time of contact, with data indicating the average age a youth is first commercially sexually exploited in Oregon is 15.
The organization, which officially formed as a non-profit in 2016, provides crisis intervention and navigational support for survivors. Esther Garrett, the founder of Safety Compass, established the program after recognizing a lack of resources in rural areas while working on a pilot project with the Portland Police Bureau and the FBI in 2008. Garrett noted that the initiative was designed to serve as a roadmap for survivors in regions where support services were previously nonexistent.
Safety Compass currently operates a 24/7 Emergency Response Team and the North Star Reception Center, a temporary secure location for survivors fleeing exploitation. Advocates provide immediate essentials, including food, clothing, and emergency communications, while facilitating connections to mental health counseling and long-term support networks. Chelsey Passon, the organization’s communications manager and a survivor of trafficking, stated that the program aims to offer "relentless hope" and guide individuals through the justice process via court accompaniment.
Despite the demand for services, the organization faces significant financial headwinds. Representatives for Safety Compass reported that federal and state funding freezes and cuts forced the non-profit to reduce its staff by an estimated 40 percent. The organization currently maintains 10 employees and 17 volunteers, down from previous operational levels. The budget for the prior year was reported at $1.2 million, but current funding levels remain uncertain due to the fiscal reductions.
Service Accessibility & Resource Allocation
The operational data provided by Safety Compass underscores the persistent prevalence of commercial sexual exploitation across both urban and rural sectors of the Pacific Northwest. The statistic citing 15 as the average age of initial exploitation highlights a critical demographic vulnerability requiring targeted early intervention strategies. However, the reported contraction in staffing levels due to volatility in federal and state grant funding presents a substantial challenge to the stability of victim services. The reliance on variable funding streams to support 24/7 crisis intervention capabilities creates a potential gap in the safety net for survivors, particularly as the organization attempts to address needs across multiple counties with reduced personnel.
