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Government shutdown looms after Trump-backed bill fails; Environmental groups sue CA Air Resources Board over biogas credits; NY elected officials work to electrify municipal buildings; Need a mental health boost? Talking hot dog is here.

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President-elect Trump repeats his threats to jail Jan. 6th committee members, while also putting a stop-gap spending plan in jeopardy. A court removes Fani Willis from Trump's Georgia election interference case. The FAA restricts drones in New Jersey, and a Federal Reserve rate cut shakes markets.

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Rural folks could soon be shut out of loans for natural disasters if Project 2025 has its way, Taos, New Mexico weighs options for its housing shortage, and the top states providing America's Christmas trees revealed.

Report sheds light on service gap for boys who are sexually exploited

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Wednesday, May 29, 2024   

Experts in the fight against the sexual exploitation of minors said there is a gap in highlighting how young men are targeted and new research said many Minnesota survivors are not getting the help they need to heal from their trauma.

A report from the group Protect All Children from Trafficking showed only 15% of sexually exploited boys received any form of specialized services compared to 65% of girls.

Lori Cohen, CEO of the group, said rates of human trafficking cases are higher for girls but added boys still need an adequate level of follow-up support. She explained it starts with how key figures in the community are trained to spot these cases.

"The tendency still is to look for that and identify it among girls and not among boys," Cohen pointed out.

The report found along with systemic barriers, there are masculine stereotypes fostering shame for a male to disclose they have been sexually exploited. Cohen acknowledged Minnesota is a leader in the child protection space but the authors said uneven implementation of the state's Safe Harbor law criminalizes boys who are victimized rather than supporting them.

In the school setting, Cohen stressed classroom disruptions can be a warning sign but feels boys are often treated differently when behavioral issues arise.

"A boy might be seen as acting up in school," Cohen observed. "Instead of having access to services that a girl who was acting up in school might get -- a social worker, a guidance counselor -- boys tend to be punished."

She added if it leads to an expulsion, the boy might encounter housing instability, putting them at greater risk of being exploited.

Researchers said safe, stable housing is an essential prevention tool but must include wraparound services like mental health care and job training. Even though the report looked at Minnesota data, Cohen feels the results resonate globally.


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