Portland Police Rescue 6 Teen Girls from Trafficking

Six teenage girls are safe tonight after Portland police launched a major operation against sex trafficking along one of the city's most notorious corridors.

The girls, ranging from ages 13 to 17, were recovered during enforcement initiatives that began April 15 along Southeast Portland's 82nd Avenue. Police called the number of young victims found in such a short period "stunning" and significantly higher than normal.

Portland's Human Trafficking Unit has worked for years to protect vulnerable people along the 82nd Avenue corridor, where sex trafficking and prostitution have plagued the community. But finding this many children in just two weeks caught even experienced officers by surprise.

"While it is not unusual for HTU members to rescue providers from their traffickers, it is unusual to see so many children in this short a period," officials said. They're still investigating whether this represents a troubling new trend or a one-time anomaly.

Each of the six girls is now connected with specialized support services. Portland Police Bureau Victim Services and Safety Compass, an organization that helps young survivors of commercial sexual exploitation, are providing immediate care and counseling.

The Oregon Department of Human Services is working to reunite some girls with out-of-state parents while arranging safe placements for others. Every step prioritizes what the survivors need to heal.

The Bright Side

This operation shows how trauma-informed policing can make a real difference. The Human Trafficking Unit uses a victim-centered approach that recognizes survivors often face trauma bonds, fear of retaliation, and complex emotional barriers to coming forward.

Instead of treating these young people as criminals, officers worked as protectors and connectors to resources. That shift in approach helps survivors feel safe enough to accept help and begin recovery.

Investigators continue building cases against the traffickers and sex buyers responsible. The Multnomah County District Attorney's Office is coordinating closely with police to hold offenders accountable while keeping victim protection as the top priority.

Six young lives have been given a second chance, and the people who hurt them are facing justice.