The Lewis County Safe Harbour Program provides case coordination and advocacy for youth under the age of 24 who have been the subject of or are at risk of commercial sexual exploitation. The goal of the program is to address the immediate life and safety issues of identified youth and to reduce the risk of continued sexual exploitation and abuse by providing access to needed resources.
Download Referral Form
Please send your Safe Harbour Referral forms to: lewissafeharbour@dfa.state.ny.us
Critical Team Members:
Basic Needs Assistance:
Victims of CSEC and underage sex trafficking may need access to the following services:
- Crisis intervention and/or legal services
- Basic needs, including food, clothing, and medical care
- Long/short term housing and/or residence assistance
- Educational counseling
- Access to case management
- English language training or a translator
- Job training and/or job placement assistance
- Internet Safety
- Community education and outreach
Common Red Flags:
- Frequently runs away from home often for significant periods of time
- Over-sexualized behavior
- Multiple sexually transmitted infections, abortions, or anonymous sexual partners
- Signs of sexual, physical or mental abuse, depression or suicidal tendencies
- Untreated injuries
- Indications or reports of domestic violence/intimate partner violence
- Has a significantly older partner/spends a lot of time with a controlling person or older adult
- Describes a stalking situation
- Reluctant to discuss how they make money, where they live, how/when they came to the US
- Scared of consequences to a degree greater than the situation warrants
- Unsafe online behavior
For more information, please visit: OCFS Safe Harbour
