PROGRAM TO PREVENT TEEN PROSTITUTION HONORED FOR 2nd CONSECUTIVE YEAR April 15, 2008 A program that brings together a non-traditional alliance of law enforcement agencies, social service providers, and other public and private organizations to assist girls and young women exploited by prostitution has been hailed for a second consecutive year by a Harvard University think tank, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley and the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation announced today. Support to End Exploitation Now (SEEN), formerly known as the Teen Prostitution Prevention Project, was named today as one of the Top 50 Innovative Government Programs by the Ash Institute. Selected from a pool of nearly 1,000 applicants from all levels of government nationwide, the programs embody the qualities of being forerunners in government reform strategies and may pave the way for future legislation. SEEN was launched in 2004 to combat the growing problem of girls and young women being lured, tricked, or coerced into prostitution by adults. The multidisciplinary method used by SEEN implements a successful model of multi-agency collaboration, proven to be effective in helping other victims of abuse, to divert prostituted youth away from individuals who exploit them. “The exploitation of youth through prostitution is something that our society cannot, and will not tolerate,” Conley said. “These young girls need to know that there is a way out, that they will not be prosecuted for coming forward, and that they can get the help they need through a program created to help them break free from the adults who exploit them. We’re encouraged by the Ash Institute’s recognition of this valuable program, and expect that Support to End Exploitation Now will continue its important work for as long as is necessary.” Coordinated by the Children’s Advocacy Center of Suffolk County, SEEN operates out of the Family Justice Center of Boston, of which Conley is a co-chair. The program garnered its award this year for focusing the attention of multiple independent agencies on securing the emotional and physical well-being of the prostituted youth, rather than on traditional forms of punishment. To accomplish this, a memorandum of understanding was signed by 38 state, local, and nationwide partners from all branches of government and social services that information on teen exploitation will be expedited to the Department of Social Services - and subsequently to the district attorney’s office - for investigation and intervention. Working together with Conley’s office and the Department of Social Services are the police departments of Boston, Chelsea, Revere and Winthrop; Roxbury Youthworks; the Department of Youth Services; the Home for Little Wanderers; the Children’s Advocacy Center; Roca; the Department of Probation; and many others. Every year since 1985, the Harvard University Kennedy School’s Ash Institute has chosen 50 programs nationwide that represent the best in government innovation. The selected programs come from varied policy areas. All of the Top 50 programs will continue in the competition and remain eligible to win one of seven $100,000 grant awards. Return to the Press Releases page.