By SOPHIE BONOMI
Herald Correspondent

BAINBRIDGE — It was a gala of sorts. But it had a deeper meaning.

And those who attended were asked, “If you had the opportunity and the tools to save a life, would you want to?”

Supporters of Scarlet Road, a organization fighting against sexual exploitation and trafficking, gathered April 24 at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art to raise awareness and funding to help local survivors of exploitation and trafficking.

“Tonight we want to enlighten your understanding of this severe issue and help change women’s lives,” said Rosie Ludlow, co-founder and director. “We want this evening to be a memorable one. We want to impact you through your hands, hearts and, most importantly, your wallets.”

The organization’s leaders said studies show that 21,000 people are being exploited every year. The average age of exploited children is 13. Pimps see vulnerability as an opportunity, especially in the younger victims.

“Age, city, background all is irrelevant,” said Victoria Ahlfors, director of outreach at Scarlet Road. “Pimps resemble people like the girls’ fathers, boyfriends and peers — someone they could trust and experience love and acceptance from, sometimes for the first time.”

“It all happens so fast. Before they know what’s going on, it’s too late,” she said.

Recent studies show that 92 percent want out, but many don’t know where to turn, according to the organization.

“There are many reasons,” said Ludlow, “Emotions run deep. There is manipulation, isolation and scare tactics. There is an emotional dependency. Pimps tell these girls when and what they can eat, where they can sleep and for how long, and who they can sleep with. They even control their bodily functions. When it comes down do it, leaving is much scarier then staying.”

Victims find it hard to trust, especially legal and service providers, because they have no idea how to help.

“Up until recently, the only way for a woman to get help was to get arrested and charged with a crime, often times receiving judgement and being labeled as a ‘prostitute’ and a ‘druggie,’” said Jana Goyenechea, Scarlet Road’s director of trauma and aftercare. “Therefore these women have negative viewpoints of the value in the systems used to protect them.”

She said victims “puff themselves up to protect themselves because they’re frustrated and feel like they have no one to trust.”

Board member Darin Gemmer agreed.

“I was a chaplain for the juvenile detention system,” he said. “I saw it first hand.”

Once involved the sex industry, the average life expectancy is 17 years. A Canadian report showed victims with a mortality rate of 70 percent. Another American hospital study showed 78 percent of victims had attempted suicide, with 18 percent resulting in death.

According to Goyenechea, “Happy is not the common ending to this story.”

For survivors, the road to recovery and wellbeing is long and hard. The scars of sexual exploitation are not physical, but mental. They suffer from extreme, complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, insomnia and hyper vigilance, among others, Scarlet Road officials reported.

But they say they are dedicated to making a difference.

“We are not heroes, saviors or miracle workers. But we want to stand as a foundation for those people who have lost their voice,” Ludlow said.

Ahlfors said, “It’s all about relationships.”

Scarlet Road works to create a longterm relationship with the survivor and