No. 2-03
WHEREAS, child sexual exploitation is an intolerable public health and crime problem and is on the rise in San Francisco; and,
WHEREAS, it is called sexual exploitation rather than prostitution because the girls and boys are under the age of 18, and therefore it is sexual abuse and statutory rape; and,
WHEREAS, local services are insufficient to meet the intensive needs of exploited youth; and,
WHEREAS, in an unprecedented effort to raise public awareness and take action, the Task Force to End the Exploitation of Youth was formed by resolution 0455-02 of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors; and,
WHEREAS, the Task Force is a broad-based coalition of San Francisco officials, philanthropists, nonprofit service providers, the School District and the community; and,
WHEREAS, the Task Force will be presenting its report with recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on February 25, 2003; and,
WHEREAS, the Task Force has initiated a public awareness campaign to help change attitudes, public policy, legislation and availability of services and create a community climate that will not allow this proliferation of abuse; now, therefore, be it,
RESOLVED, that the Health Commission commends the work of the Task Force to End the Exploitation of Youth in addressing this issue; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Health Commission requests the Task Force to work with the Department of Public Health and bring to the Commission a report addressing the Department's response to the Task Force recommendations.
I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was adopted by the San Francisco Health Commission at its meeting of February 18, 2003.
Michele Olson, Executive Secretary to the Health Commission