This website is no longer being updated. To learn more about Human Trafficking Response in Minnesota visit MDH Safe Harbor (health.state.mn.us/safeharbor)
2021
Minnesota Youth Trafficking and Exploitation Identification Tool and Guide is widely available for direct services providers. Safe Harbor Minnesota Youth Trafficking and Exploitation Identification Tool and Guide.
2020
Safe Harbor and University of Minnesota partner on research and evaluation of sex exploitation question added to the Minnesota Student Survey. Trading Sex and Sexual Exploitation among High School Students | School of Nursing – University of Minnesota.
2019
Minnesota receives second federal grant to support labor trafficking law enforcement protocol implementation as well as continued efforts to expand labor trafficking, child protection response, and tribal response.
The Minnesota State Legislature receives Safe Harbor for All report and strategic plan. Safe Harbor For All – Minnesota Department of Health
The Minnesota state legislature passes a wage theft law. Wage theft | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
The Advocates for Human Rights release “Labor Trafficking Protocol Guidelines.” Labor Trafficking Protocol Guidelines
The Minnesota Department of Health Violence Prevention Unit initiated efforts to include sexual exploitation question on the Minnesota Student Survey. The question appeared on the survey for the first time.
2018
Minnesota state legislature requires training on sex trafficking and exploitation for hotels and motels statewide. Sex Trafficking Prevention and Response Training for the Minnesota Lodging Industry – Minnesota Department of Health
The Minnesota Department of Human Services builds its response to human trafficking of children. Safe Harbor / Minnesota Department of Human Services
2017
Minnesota receives first federal grant to support labor trafficking protocol development, child protection response, and tribal response.
The Ramsey County Attorney’s Office and the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault release the first edition of the “Safe Harbor Protocol Guidelines.” A second edition was released in 2020. Safe Harbor Protocol Guidelines (PDF).
2016
Minnesota expands Safe Harbor services eligibility through age 24.
2015
Safe Harbor begins releasing biennial evaluation reports mandated by the Minnesota state legislature. Safe Harbor Evaluation Report – Minnesota Department of Health
Law enforcement begins receiving training statewide and Human Trafficking Investigation Task Force forms and expands. Investigations – Human Trafficking
2014
MDH hires first Safe Harbor Director and the Safe Harbor response system is created, including regional navigators, supportive services, street outreach, and shelter.
Safe Harbor Minnesota – Minnesota Department of Health
Minnesota Women’s Consortium names MNHTTF “Organization of the Year.”
2013
Minnesota state legislature designates $2.8 million to fund part of the No Wrong Door Model under Safe Harbor. In subsequent years, the legislature continues to support Safe Harbor through increased funding.
2012
The Safe Harbor Working Group develops the No Wrong Door Model for serving sexually exploited youth; the report is released in 2013. 2012 Safe Harbor Report (PDF)
2011
Minnesota passes the Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Youth Law, which includes protection for youth who are commercially sexually exploited and clarifies that sexually exploited children are crime victims, not criminals. The law goes into effect August 2014 after a three-year planning period called No Wrong Door.
The Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition releases its report “Garden of Truth: The Prostitution and Trafficking of Native Women in Minnesota (PDF).”
MNHTTF moves from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety to the Minnesota Department of Health.
2010
The Advocates for Human Rights receives a grant from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Justice Programs to develop and implement a training for county attorneys on how to use the new trafficking law.
The Minnesota Women’s Foundation launches the MN Girls are Not for Sale Campaign. MN Girls Are Not For Sale | Women’s Foundation of Minnesota
2009
Minnesota state legislature passes laws to strengthen sex trafficking prosecutions.
The Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center releases its report “Shattered Hearts: The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of American Indian Women and Girls in Minnesota (PDF).”
2008
The Advocates for Human Rights, at the request of MNHTTF, publishes the “Sex Trafficking Needs Assessment for the State of Minnesota (PDF) evaluating the current system of response and making recommendations for change.
2006
The Minnesota state legislature establishes MNHTTF at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
2005
The Minnesota state legislature passes the state’s first anti-trafficking laws.