Center For Student Coastal Research, 40 Parker Ave, Cohasset, MA 02025, US

New Choices, Strong Voices Inc. is an organization that is very rare in the Boston, Massachusetts area. The problem with our children being sold, beaten, tortured, held captive every day is bigger than any of us can imagine. This problem goes unseen because we do not know what to look for. Also we do not know the severity of this horrible issue. We pass by these young adults every day, not knowing that her/his pimp is watching her/him to make sure she/he goes where he has instructed her/him. The boy in the park, we do not know that he is waiting to be picked up by his "John". We do not know that the girl that just passed by you is just coming back outside after being beaten up by her pimp because she didn't make enough money, and she's living with 6 other girls in a 2 bedroom apartment that is not fit for human living. These young adults are mostly those who have run away from home, and some as young as 11 years old; they have been neglected at home: starved, left alone, beaten up, threatened, abused in all forms, living without adequate clothing, health care, education, etc. These children run away from home to escape the pain suffered at home. Unfortunately, when they hit the streets, there are many predators who promises to take care of them, not allow anyone to hurt them, and will always protect them. They gain their trust, buy them nice things, say nice things and treat them nice. After some time these children are told that they have to make money to contribute; their worse nightmare has begun. These young adults have now entered the world of prostitution. They now have no choices of their own. No voices of there own. They are tortured and beaten because they did not make enough money or they spoke back to their pimp. These young adults are being sheltered in unbearable conditions. He threatens to kill her/him and /or their family members if they leave. Sex trafficking/exploitation is a huge problem around the world. Our children need our help. New Choices, Strong Voices is to open the doors as a safe haven for young adults ages 18-23, which consists of a shelter, where they can come to for safety when the are escaping their pump or predator. These young adults can transition from the shelter program to transitional housing for at least 3 months. While here, they will be receiving, nursing care, therapy, psychiatry, safety, counseling, education, basic living skills and many more components. From the first moment the adolescent enters the doors of New Choices, Strong Voices, they are safe from the world they left behind. We will also work with the county, a number of aftercare specialists, and we will also look for placement for these young adults once they complete our program. The idea of New Choices, Strong Voices was created because the only way these young adults tend to get off the street is when they get arrested, and during that time, their pimp/predator are racing against time to bail them so they do not have to go in front of a judge. Again, a large number of these individuals are run-a-ways, so they have no escape; New Choices Strong Voices is that place.

Cohasset Maritime Institute

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