StolenYouth Bio

StolenYouth is a Seattle-based non-profit committed to ending child sex trafficking in Washington state while supporting and empowering those who have been affected by this unimaginable abuse. Founded in 2012, we inspire action,

fundraise, build and invest in coalitions to dismantle the marketplace exploiting children for sex. Our work began with raising funds for service providers that offer sex-trafficked youth vital support such as counseling, stable housing, and access to education. Over the past six years, we’ve evolved to become the convener, funder, and architect of Seattle’s movement to eradicate child sex trafficking, increasing awareness and action within the courts, law enforcement, education system, social services, and private sector. We have helped to change the conversation in our community around the commercial sexual exploitation of children, shifting the perception of sex-trafficked youth from criminals to victims. Our innovative coalition brings together the strengths of awareness building, direct service, policy development, advocacy, and the public sector to target critical aspects of this issue from prevention and demand reduction to survivor support services.  We aim to deepen the community’s understanding of the devastating and often unseen issue of child sex trafficking and expand our victim-centered response to this scourge. Our motivation is simple: No child should be bought or sold for sex.