Town Hall Forum on Underage Sex Trafficking

Child prostitution is difficult to talk about. It's difficult to think about.

Much like our reaction to some random catastrophe, we like to think that child prostitution happens "over there." But it's not true, we know it's not true, and it behooves us to be slapped awake from this delusion every once in a while. Seattle may not be Calcutta, or the Philippines, but child prostitution exists here.

That link leads to a Slog post guest-written by City Council member Tim Burgess, one of the moderators of a public panel discussion on the sex trafficking of local girls, happening this Thursday at Town Hall, starting at 7 p.m. The event is being hosted by the Women's Funding Alliance.

In the post, Burgess touches on a 2008 study commissioned by the City of Seattle found that at least 238 children in the Seattle area are being forced into prostitution, but those familiar with the study think the number is more likely between 300 and 500.

Thursday night's panel will cover further details, the short and long-term steps that have been taken to address the issue, and a keynote speech by Deborah Richardson, who has worked on this issue extensively in Atlanta.

It feels trite to be grateful that someone has taken the time and care to think of ways to circumvent this unthinkable horror.

Thursday, 7 p.m. // Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Avenue // 7P.M. // $5, all proceeds go The Bridge at YouthCare