By SOPHIE BONOMI
Herald correspondent

KINGSTON — A vulnerable runaway teen will be approached by a pimp within 48 hours of being on the street, according to Shared Hope International. Pimps have an innate ability to identify the most vulnerable children.

“There are kids being trafficked out of every school in Kitsap County,” said Victoria Ahlfors, a former victim of sexual exploitation, “and that’s the truth.”

Those were the grim messages presented at a seminar on sexual exploitation, March 5 at North Kitsap Fire & Rescue. The event was the result of the effort of many people — including Soroptimist International of Greater North Kitsap and of Greater Bremerton, OurGEMS, Scarlet Road and local law enforcement. Approximately 70 people attended.

The purpose: to increase awareness of human trafficking in the region, and to discuss ways to stop it.

The event included a screening of the movie “Chosen,” about sexual exploitation in Kitsap County.

“Everyone — men, women, service providers and our entertainment world — must participate to increase awareness and join the fight to overcome the exploitation of these victims,” Sheriff Gary Simpson said. “These are our sisters, our children … that are being dragged into this evil environment.”

Children as young as 10 are being targeted for sexual exploitation, with children in grades 8-10 the most targeted, according to information presented at the seminar.

The offense of “Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking” is the act of forcing children and teens into sexual slavery, Simpson said. This can include child pornography, prostitution, and sexual entertainment, such as is found in strip clubs.

Bremerton Police Sgt. Randy Plumb said, “We want to collaborate with local and federal agencies to send the message to Kitsap County: This is not the place to do this. We have got to be publicly involved; we need to be outraged about this.”

Simpson added, “These are not victimless crimes. Our culture’s perspective and the movies we watch are far from reality. The victims of human trafficking are always subject to assaults, threats, fear, intimidation as well as being enslaved to drug addiction. Their participation is far from voluntary.”

Ahlfors is the co-founder of Scarlet Road, a local non-profit organization established in 2008 to help victims of sexual exploitation in Kitsap County.

“The term ‘human trafficking’ is in the media a lot, but we prefer the term ‘sexual exploitation.’ Trafficking doesn’t always happen, however, exploitation always does. It is clear and keeps a wider spectrum.”

Ahlfors explained how Scarlet Road assists victims. “We work to gain their trust and help them to tell their story. We walk with our clients until they are able to stand on their own two feet. When a girl moves, we move with her.”

Her job as an outreach worker is to find victims and help them escape. “In five minutes, I can pick out the most vulnerable girls from a crowd. In the next five minutes, I need to find out who’s hunting them.”

Ahlfors said of the tragedy of sexual exploitation, “I see the brokenness of [the sex] industry against humanity. It turns people into products and takes away their value as human beings. It pulls women away from their human life and puts a dollar sign on it.”

Harriette Bryant and Vicki M. Collins are president and vice president, respectively, of OurGEMS, or Girls Empowered through Mentoring and Service. They explained how their organization helps young women overcome difficult circumstances. All of the GEMS programs are based on their philosophy that each girl and young woman is deserving of respect.

“If girls learn to feel like gems, they will not accept certain behaviors,” Bryant said. Among other things, OurGEMS teaches etiquette and promotes the importance of education.

“Young men need to remember the culture of gentility is not gone,” Collins said.

When asked what community members can do to help, Kitsap County Prosecuting Attorney’s investigator Natalie Mays said one way is to donate clothing and bedding. “In many situations, once a girl is rescued from this lifestyle she can not return back to retrieve her things,” Mays said. “It’s far too dangerous.” Donations can be made at the Kingston and Silverdale locations of Lucky Star Clothing Consignment, under the account “Scarlet Road.”

Mentors are also needed, to be a stable and trustworthy companion for those recovering from exploitation.

And, officials said, spread the news. Simpson said he hopes to continue making presentations throughout the region.

“There are 280,000 people in Kitsap County, and around 50 people in this room,” Plumb said, “We need you to spread the news about this important issue.”

Event organizer Audrey Wolf said she has a wait list of people who want to host seminars in Bainbridge Island and South Kitsap.

HOTLINE: If you or someone you know needs help, call the Scarlet Road hotline, 360-850-9718.