In Sacramento and across the country during the past two years, law enforcement has been cracking down on pimps who lure girls into the dark world of prostitution.
Local cops have made dozens of arrests and attorneys are pursuing prosecutions. But they are left with a puzzling dilemma. What becomes of the young prostitutes, whom police view more as victims than criminals?
Jenny Williamson, a Natomas businesswoman turned activist, has been working on a solution. Williamson on Tuesday assembled a group of about 60 community leaders, including representatives of the FBI, the Sacramento Police Department and the Sacramento District Attorney's Office, to discuss opening a safe house for the girls she calls the "throwaway" children.
"Someone has to rescue them," she told the group.
Williamson's proposal, which she admitted is still in the dream stages, is Courage House. It would be a spinoff of her Christian-based nonprofit group, Courage To Be You, and would provide permanent housing, school, food, clothing, counseling and other essentials to the former prostitutes.
"My dream is huge for these girls," she said. "This is not a program. This is a home."
Thanks in part to the reach and anonymity of the Internet, the sex trade with underage girls in Sacramento is thriving, said local FBI agent Minerva Shelton. During the past year in Sacramento, 48 girls younger than 18 have been identified by local law enforcement.
Many of the girls have histories of sexual and physical abuse, and are chronic runaways from dysfunctional families.
"We arrest the pimps, but what do we do with the girls?" Shelton asked. "Our girls need so many things. Foster homes or group homes don't work for them."
Police are reluctant to lock them up in juvenile hall. So, too often, the girls return to the streets.
"What they are looking for is love," said Sacramento Police Sgt. Pam Seyffert. "But they really don't know what love looks like. Who knows what they could become if they had normal lives?"
Shelton and Seyffert are local leaders of a national task force dedicated to investigating sexual exploitation of children. Nationally, the Innocence Lost project recovered 433 children and convicted more than 300 pimps as of June, according to the FBI.
Locally, the Sacramento DA's office is working about 20 cases involving pimps who employed girls ages 13 to 17 as prostitutes, said prosecutor Casey Newton. "Because the police and the FBI are going after these guys, I'm very busy, and that's a good thing," said Newton. The U.S. attorney's office also is working on cases.
But the lack of a safe, secure home for the young victims "is a big hole" in the system, he said.
Tuesday's meeting was an important step in filling that hole, Williamson said.
At least 500,000 children are working as prostitutes in the United States, according to law enforcement. Only four homes, including one in Los Angeles, are dedicated to caring for them.
Williamson, who got inspired by a Northern California couple who opened a home for child prostitutes in Cambodia, has been researching her idea for seven months and is ready to begin raising public and private funds, applying for a license and talking to potential staff members and volunteers for Courage House.
A mother of three sons, Williamson has a background in finance and marketing and with her husband owns an energy consulting business. She also is a "life coach" and motivational speaker. But she has found her true calling in Courage House, she said.
"When I heard that this was happening right in my own backyard, it broke me in two," she said. "I am following my heart and doing what God has called me to do."
Although the house will be grounded in the Christian faith, she said, practicing religion will not be a requirement for young residents. "We will respect every girl's uniqueness and individuality," and young people of all faiths will be welcomed, she said.
"I believe in seeing people live out their purpose," said Williamson. "These girls have their dreams and heart's desires. But how can they achieve them when their basic needs are not being met?"
Williamson wants to establish a network of Courage Houses across the country, starting in Sacramento. It is a lofty goal, she admitted. "But I am telling you right now, we are going to accomplish this," she said. "We will finally be able to answer that question, 'What do we do with the girls?' We'll have a home for them right here in Sacramento."
Call The Bee's Cynthia Hubert, (916) 321-1082.
