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"Sometimes You Have To Be The Leader": A Minnesota Oral History On Fighting Sexual Exploitation, Trudee Able-Peterson

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

Prostitution survivor Trudee Able-Peterson used oral histories to research and document the efforts of women and men to respond to the sexual exploitation of women and children in Minnesota. Her findings illustrate the leadership needed to overcome centuries of commercial sexual exploitation to obtain a beginning societal response. Respondents indicated the importance of their interaction with pioneer leaders in other locales. Their comments also illustrate the many issues and challenges still facing the community.

Mary

Oral Histories

Age when Interviewed: 19

Date of Interview: Fall 2012

Race: African American / White

Gender: Female

Keywords: Housing insecurity, Intergenerational poverty

ACE Factors: Parental separation or divorce, Domestic violence

Born in the Twin Cities, Mary is an African American/White woman who participated in the Voices of Homelessness project as a first year student at St. Catherine University.Beginning around age 4 and then throughout her childhood she experienced homelessness, frequently being passed between parents and relatives and spending time in foster care. In her interview she discusses intergenerational poverty and her experiences, as an adolescent, couch-surfing and being kicked out of …

Nora

Oral Histories

Age when Interviewed: 25

Date of Interview: Fall 2012

Race: White

Gender: Female

Keywords: Housing insecurity, Single parent

ACE Factors: Physical abuse, Domestic violence, Household substance abuse, Criminal household member, Parental separation or divorce, Mental illness in household

Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, Nora is a single mother who participated in the Voices of Homelessness project as a junior at St. Catherine University. She experienced housing insecurity from her mid-adolescence until her mid-twenties. She went on to earn a Bachelor’s from St. Catherine University in 2014, prior to which she earned an Associate’s Degree in Health Care and Human Services. …

Helen

Oral Histories

Age when Interviewed: 23

Date of Interview: Fall 2012

Race: Hispanic

Gender: Female

Keywords: Housing insecurity, Immigrant, Frequent moves, Intergenerational poverty, Food insecurity, Domestic violence

ACE Factors: Domestic violence

Born in Florida to an immigrant Hispanic family, Helen participated in the Voices of Homelessness project as a junior at St. Catherine University. From birth she experienced housing insecurity and throughout her life her family moved frequently, often doubling up with friends and relatives. In her interview she discusses intergenerational poverty, food insecurity, and domestic violence.