The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners proclaimed January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month.
The proclamation, approved Jan. 30, was the first for new Board members Commissioner Shannon Singleton, Commissioner Vince Jones-Dixon and Commissioner Meghan Moyer, who sponsored the proclamation.
“I want to emphasize that this is not a problem imported from elsewhere; it is intrinsic to our society,” said Commissioner Moyer, who was appointed to serve on the Multnomah County’s Sex Trafficking Collaborative.
“Most victims of sex trafficking are trafficked by someone they know — a relative, close friend, or someone connected to their friends and family,” said Moyer, ”a reality that often contradicts societal stereotypes. Acknowledging this fact is crucial, because it forces us to examine ourselves and others who may be in vulnerable situations, as well as the people around them, the power dynamics, and the potential for exploitation.”
Multnomah County’s Sex Trafficking Collaborative started in 2009, under then-Commissioner Diane McKeel, to provide a comprehensive community response to trafficking. Their work involves connecting with survivors in a human-centered way, said Chair Jessica Vega Pederson, who shared a brief history of County programs.
In 2018, the County established the New Day Program to meet the unique needs of sex trafficking survivors 12 to 25 years old, with a focus on communities of color and LGBTQIA2S+ communities.
“We also make a commitment to making programs and services available to provide a safety net for providers,” said Chair Vega Pederson. “This isn’t just about work through our justice system, but a whole system of support for survivors.”
This year’s proclamation highlighted the experiences of immigrant survivors of human trafficking, in particular, and the advocates and others who work with them, said claire barrera (who prefers to lowercase her first and last name) sex trafficking senior strategist in the Department of County Human Services.
“We must ensure these communities are included in our anti-trafficking policies, services and funding,” barrera said. “Human trafficking is a global issue that impacts many people in Multnomah County.”
In addition to youth who are at high risk of being trafficked, she noted, “we know that other marginalized communities in Multnomah County face disproportionate rates of trafficking. LGBTQIA+, Black, Indigenous and immigrant communities are especially vulnerable to exploitation, as discrimination and racist and xenophobic policies and practices limit opportunities for safety and liberation.”
The County has funded New Avenues for Youth’s New Day Program, which served 623 young people from 2018 through 2024. Each was identified as either a survivor of sex trafficking or at high risk of being trafficked, said barrera.
The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) also serves survivors of human trafficking through its Services Against Exploitation program. Last fiscal year, the program served 77 survivors along with 40 of their family members, barrera said.
““But as war and environmental catastrophes destabilize other nations, anti-immigrant sentiments and legislation are on the rise in the United States,” she said. “These factors put immigrants and refugees at increasing risk of being trafficked.“
Multnomah County’s Sex Trafficking Collaborative was founded to address these concerns and pool the community’s resources to end trafficking and improve care for survivors.
“Our collaborative includes law enforcement, prosecutors, mental health providers and culturally specific advocacy programs, among others. We also have our Community Advisory Board to ensure that people with lived experience in trafficking have a voice in the work we do,” barrera said.
Speakers share personal and professional experiences
Lidija Sovulj, an advocate with IRCO, and Andrea Metheney, an advocate and survivor with Oregon Sex Worker Affirming Advocates, also shared their professional and personal experiences. They urged the Board to continue supporting their work, especially in the face of potential funding cuts and other threats from the federal government — including Tuesday’s quickly rescinded freeze of federal grants.
“From our media, our education to politicians, there aren’t many clear pictures of what trafficking is or how it impacts our community on a day-to-day basis,” said Sovulj.
“Speaking as an advocate who works with these populations, and not on behalf of my agency, this situation exemplifies how many decisions are made by a few people in power who don't represent those most affected. We don't just live in a fragile system; we live in one designed for the benefit of a select few, and it's far exceeding its intended purpose.”
Sovulj asked the Board to improve current programs — and create new ones — so they are survivor-centered and survivor-led.
"We need free food programs, workforce support, and education to prevent trafficking and inform people about their rights and available resources," Sovulj said. "We need bilingual advocates and culturally specific programs, which are often ineffective if they can't connect with the community."
Metheney, a lifelong resident of Multnomah County and the proud mother of a soon-to-be high school graduate, described her journey and progress since surviving domestic violence, financial abuse and sex trafficking.
Today, Metheney works as a legislative coordinator for a political advocacy nonprofit, serves on the endorsement committee for Mother PAC, and a sits on the steering committee for Oregon Sex Worker Affirming Advocates, But she was once a young mother struggling to provide financial stability for herself and her child.
"I was escaping a violent and abusive domestic partner,” she said.
"I was trapped in a cycle of violence, lacking resources, and limited by my education, which did not extend beyond high school. My family also lacked the resources to help me. This led to several years of coercive sex trafficking in Portland and Seattle, from which escape was incredibly difficult.”
“I felt trapped and fearful of losing the small degree of financial empowerment I had finally attained.”
The lack of resources, support, and opportunities for people in her situations, particularly in marginalized communities, leaves many with extremely limited options, she said.
“There simply are not enough resources to seek shelter, child care and healing,’’ Metheney said. “There are not enough programs for survivors to rebuild their lives.”
Metheney also faulted the criminalization of “consensual sex work.” Decriminalization, she said, would help limit unsafe, underground spaces where sex workers are at risk of harm and are unable to seek help because they fear legal repercussions and the loss of their children.
“We can begin dismantling the structures that allow trafficking to thrive in the shadows. We need housing, mental health resources, job training, legal aid, and long-term support systems,” she said. “We need to listen to people who work in the sex industry and those with lived experience. By collaborating with them, we can develop more effective and compassionate policies.”
Commissioner Remarks
After barrera read the full proclamation, commissioners provided remarks.
Commissioner Moyer applauded the work being done and stressed the importance of recognizing trafficking as a local, present issue rather than some distant problem.
“The communities that are most at risk are those that society has largely failed to support,” she said. “They are uniquely vulnerable because their basic needs are not met.”
As a trained social worker who has managed women’s shelters and done outreach work directly with people affected by trafficking, Commissioner Singleton called it "heartbreaking that it continues to this day.”
“Sex trafficking in Multnomah County continues to be a deep concern that impacts our most vulnerable communities,” she said. “The collaboration you all mentioned takes trust and cooperation. We need to be vigilant and continue to push for the critical next steps you spoke about in your testimony."
Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards thanked County staff, community partners and others working daily with survivors and taking tangible steps to address this societal problem.
“It’s not something that’s out there, it's something that’s here and among us,” she said, noting Commissioner Moyer’s comments.
“We have many vulnerable communities that face higher risk. I want to share my appreciation for the work that’s happening not just in my district but across the County,” Commissioner Brim-Edwards said.
Commissioner Vince Jones-Dixon thanked those who were vulnerable in sharing their stories.
“As the father of a daughter and a son this means a lot to me — helping to create a system where we can become healed and provide resources to the County,” he said, before pointing to his predecessor, now serving as the County’s division director of Youth and Family Services. “I also see former Commissioner Lori Stegmann, and want to thank you for your leadership and education here today.”
