Commercial sexual exploitation affects Black youth, adults, families, and communities across generations, yet myths, racial bias, and gaps in our service systems can shape how exploitation is understood and addressed. This workshop brings together data, advocate expertise, and the knowledge of people with lived experience to examine the realities of commercial sexual exploitation in Black communities in Washington State.
We will explore adultification and grooming of Black youth, responses to missing Black children and young people, and the systems and cultures of violence surrounding exploitation. Participants will also consider what it means to move beyond traditional service models toward community-based approaches that support prevention, meaningful engagement, and holistic, transformative healing.
Participants will:
- Examine common myths and facts about commercial sexual exploitation and the definitions that shape our responses.
- Explore exploitation across generations, including the experiences of youth, young adults, and adults.
- Consider how adultification, racial bias, grooming, and responses to missing Black youth affect prevention and intervention.
- Learn from the expertise of survivors/experiencers, advocates, families, and communities.
- Identify opportunities for community engagement, healing, and approaches beyond the current service paradigm.
