The High Cost of Silence: Inside Seattle’s Summit on Crime Survivors

Описание: #WWConverge Seattle holds a distinction no city wants: we are currently the second most prolific city for sex trafficking in the United States. Last week at the Summit on Crime Survivors at Seattle City Hall, that grim reality met a wall of collective resistance.

This wasn’t just a day for sharing stories; it was a day for demanding systemic change. From the halls of City Council to the frontlines of community advocacy, the message was clear: the time for action is now.

A central focus of the summit was the legislative push to curb the "demand signal" of exploitation. City Councilmember Bob Kettle advocated for House Bill 2526, a high-stakes policy seeking to elevate the penalty for purchasing sex from a misdemeanor to a felony. City Attorney Erika Evans pointed to a "gaping hole" in specialized infrastructure, stable housing, and mental health services for trafficked minors.

Survivors and experts also exposed systemic failures, with Silent Task Force Executive Director and founder LaTanya VH DuBois noting the disproportionate harm to Black women and girls. Other community leaders included art facilitator Martha Linehan, YMCA program manager Nature Carter, and D6 King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci.

Seattle’s survivors are no longer waiting for permission to be heard—they are leading the way toward a safer, more just city. Now, it’s up to our leaders to follow.

A special thank you to Aurora Commons, King County Sexual Assault Resource Center, The Silent Task Force, Survivors Inspire Solutions, Organization for Prostitution Survivors, Coalition for Ending Gender Based Violence, and Real Escape from The Sex Trade for making the summit possible.

#WWConverge #TheBigOShow #Survivors #CityHall

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