Improving Community Response to CSEC in Multnomah County, Oregon

Using OJJDP funds, this project will improve local capacity to address the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) in Multnomah County (OR) and build upon current collaborative efforts to improve the delivery of services available for CSEC victims.

During the three year project period, the project will address recognized exploited youth and youth at risk for exploitation; effectively investigate and prosecute cases against adults who exploit children and youth; and intervene appropriately with and compassionately serve victims, including providing essential services. Staff (1.75 FTE) will be hired to: 1) provide multi-systemic cross-training to 250 individuals from at least 50 local agencies, utilizing the training framework OJJDP supplies; 2) increase the identification of CSEC victims by partners and other community agencies among the youth they come in contact with; 3) increase the availability of essential services for at least 70 CSEC victims, including advocacy, emergency housing, mental/physical health care, and the criminal justice investigation and prosecution of perpetrators of CSEC; and 4) allow Multnomah County partners to work together to assess the local need and to provide more effective, collaborative CSEC interventions. Progress will be measured through the collection of performance measure data, quality of collaborative services provided, assessments of coordination results, and the impact that an improved community response has had on CSEC youth.

CA/NCF