>> Braude: TONIGHT ON "GREATER BOSTON": CONGRESSWOMAN LORI TRAHAN JOINS ME ON THE EXPANDED CHILD TAX CREDIT PAYMENTS SET TO START HITTING BANK ACCOUNTS TOMORROW AND WHETHER A DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY CAN DELIVER PROMISED UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE NEXT.

THEN, LATER, PART THREE OF A GBH INVESTIGATIVE REPORT ABOUT THE BOYS VICTIMIZED BY THE SEX TRADE, ON PREDATORS USING THE LGBTQ DATING APP GRINDR TO FIND AND ABUSE UNDERAGE BOYS.

AND, FINALLY, HOW BUSINESSES IN HARVARD SQUARE, ALREADY NO STRANGER TO CHANGE, HAVE FARED THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

♪♪ >> Braude: FAMILIES ACROSS THE U.S. WILL SEE HUNDREDS OF EXTRA DOLLARS IN THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS TOMORROW AS THE I.R.S.

BEGINS TO SEND OUT MONTHLY CHILD TAX CREDIT PAYMENTS.

IT'S AN EXPANSION OF A TAX CREDIT THAT'S BEEN AROUND SINCE THE '90s, AND IT WAS INCLUDED IN THE SWEEPING STIMULUS PACKAGE PRESIDENT BIDEN PASSED IN MARCH, THE PROGRAM INCREASES THE AMOUNT OF THE TAX CREDIT FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS UP TO 3600 A YEAR PER CHILD, AND SENDS OUT UP TO $300 FOR EACH EVERY MONTH THROUGH DECEMBER.

FAMILIES WILL GET THE REST WHEN THEY FILE THEIR 2021 TAX RETURN NEXT SPRING.

THE CREDITS ARE EXPECTED TO CUT CHILD POVERTY IN HALF IN THIS COUNTRY, ACCORDING TO ANALYSIS FROM COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, BUT AS OF NOW, THEY WON'T LAST.

THE STIMULUS PACKAGE ONLY PUT THEM IN PLACE FOR THIS YEAR, AND CONGRESS WOULD HAVE TO PASS ANOTHER BILL TO KEEP THEM GOING.

A RECENT PROPOSAL FROM PRESIDENT BIDEN, A SWEEPING PACKAGE FOCUSED ON THINGS LIKE CHILD CARE, EDUCATION, AND EXPANSION OF MEDICARE, INCLUDED A PROVISION THAT WOULD DO JUST THAT.

>> THAT HUMAN IFRASTRUCTURE IS AS ESSENTIAL AS OUR PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

IT CAN HELP US CREATE MORE GOOD JOBS, EASE THE BURDEN ON WORKING FAMILIES, AND STRENGTHEN OUR ECONOMY, STRENGTHEN IT IN THE LONG RUN.

>> Braude: BUT IT'S UNCLEAR IF THAT PROVISION WILL SURVIVE ONGOING NEGOTIATIONS IN CONGRESS, WHEN DEMOCRATS UNVEILED A NEW $3.5 TRILLION PROPOSAL YESTERDAY, THE DETAILS OF WHICH ARE STILL TO BE FINALIZED.

SOME OF THE MORE MODERATE DEMOCRATS ARE PUSHING FOR A SIMPLER, MORE BARE BONES INFRASTRUCTURE DEAL INSTEAD.

SO HOW LIKELY ARE WE TO SEE THESE SO-CALLED HUMAN INFRASTRUCTURE PROPOSALS BECOME LAW?

I'M JOINED NOW BY CONGRESSWOMAN LORI TRAHAN, WHO REPRESENTS MASSACHUSETTS' THIRD DISTRICT.

>> Braude: CONGRESSWOMAN, FOODS GOODS.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

>> IT IS GREAT TO SEE YOU, JIM.

THANK YOU.

>> Braude: MY UNDERSTANDING IS AN EXTENSION OF THIS TAX CREDIT DIRECTED AT PARENTS IS IN THIS MULTI-TRILLION-DOLLAR BILL.

BUT A MUCH MORE TRANSFORMATIVE THING FOR PARENTS, UNIVERSAL CHILD CARE, WHICH WOULD CAP A FAMILY'S PAYMENTS AT 7% OF THEIR INCOME FOR CHILD CARE.

I'M NOT CLEAR WHETHER THAT IS OR IS NOT IN THE PLAN.

IS IT?

>> WELL, WE'RE CERTAINLY HOPING THAT IT IS.

I THINK RIGHT NOW WE'RE SEEING AS A TOP-LINE AGREEMENT ON THE BUDGET RESOLUTION THAT WAS ANNOUNCED LAST NIGHT, IT IS AT THE RIGHT SCALE TO MEET THE MOMENT WE'RE IN AS WE WORK TO RESPOND TO AND RECOVER FROM COVID-19.

AND IT DOES HAVE THESE INVESTMENTS IN HUMAN INFRASTRUCTURE, THAT YOU JUST DESCRIBED.

CERTAINLY CHILD CARE IS A BIG PART OF THAT, AND MAKING SURE THAT THE TWO MILLION MOMS WHO ARE ON THE SIDELINES, NOT BEING ABLE TO GO BACK TO WORK BECAUSE THEIR CHILD CARE CENTER ISN'T THERE FOR THEM OR CAN'T CONFORM TO THOSE WORK HOURS, IS A BIG PIECE OF THAT.

WE'RE ALSO HOPEFUL THAT PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE IS GOING TO BE PART OF THIS PACKAGE, MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE UNIVERSAL PRE-"K" FOR ALL THREE-YEAR-OLDS AND FOUR-YEAR-OLDS, AND FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

THIS IS ABOUT INVESTING IN OUR WORKFORCE, INVESTING IN OUR ECONOMY, MAKING SURE IT IS MORE INCLUSIVE SO THAT WE DO WIN IN THE 21st CENTURY AND WE DO RECLAIM OUR GLOBAL LEADERSHIP ROLE.

>> Braude: ARE YOU A LITTLE NERVOUS THAT THE PUBLIC AND YOU, AS A MEMBER OF CONGRESS, KNOW SOME OF THE SPECIFICS IN THIS BILL, LIKE THE EXPANSION, JUST TO PICK ONE SET, OF MEDICARE, DENTAL AND VISION, BUT YOU'RE NOT SURE IF THINGS LIKE UNIVERSAL CHILD CARE ARE IN IT, WHICH LEADS ME TO CONCLUDE THAT MAYBE THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT ARE HANGING BY A THREAD.

IS THAT AN UNFAIR ANALYSIS FROM A COUPLE HUNDRED MILES AWAY?

>> WELL, LOOK, I THINK THE $3.5 TRILLION NUMBER REALLY ACCOMMODATES SO MUCH OF WHAT THE PRESIDENT PUT FORTH IN THE AMERICAN FAMILIES PLAN.

AND CERTAINLY IT IS GREAT TO SEE THE EXPANSION OF MEDICARE, ZEALS AS WELL AS THE EXPANSION OF THE A.C.A., SO WE CAN CLOSE THE MEDICAID GAP AS WELL.

THOSE ARE ALL PRIORITIES THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR, AND THE PRESIDENT HAS, YOU KNOW, SORT OF PUT FORTH IN HIS PLAN.

SO NOW WE HAVE TO TURN THIS INTO LEGISLATIVE TEXT, LIKE WE HAVE TO DO THE INFRASTRUCTURE DEAL, THE BIPARTISAN DEAL, TO SEE WHAT IS GOING TO MAKE IT IN.

BUT I'M EEL ELATED ABOUT THE FACT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT INVESTMENTS AT THIS SCALE.

BECAUSE, FOR ONCE, WE'RE SEEING THE AFFECTS OF MORE WOMEN IN CONGRESS BECAUSE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HOW DO WE GET MORE WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE, HOW DO WE SET THE CONDITIONS SO MORE WOMEN CAN PARTICIPATE IN OUR ECONOMY.

AND THESE ARE THE RIGHT CONVERSATIONS FOR US TO BE HAVING AS WE EMERGE FROM THE PANDEMIC.

>> Braude: CONGRESSWOMAN, A COUPLE OF WEEKS THE SUPREME COURT SAID COLLEGE ATHLETES COULD BE COMPENSATED WITH EDUCATION-RELATED THINGS.

YOU AND SENATOR CHRIS MURPHY, FROM CONNECTICUT, WILL TAKE IT A GIANT LEAP FURTHER IN SOMETHING CALLED THE COLLEGE ATHLETES ECONOMIC FREEDOM ACT, GIVING THE COLLEGE ATHLETES A RIGHT TO UNIZE, AND TO TELL THEIR NAMES, IMAGES, AND LIKENESSES.

WOULDN'T THAT HELP THE ONLY MOST ELITE OF ATHLETES?

YOU WERE A VOLLEYBALL PLAYER.

WOULD IT HAVE HELPED YOU?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT HITS ESPECIALLY CLOSE TO HOME FOR ME, BECAUSE IT IS THROUGH MY EXPERIENCE AS A DIVISION 1ATHLETE, ATHLETE, I BECAME FAMILIAR WITH THE NAACP BUSINESS MODEL.

I WAS THE FIRST PERSON TO GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE IN MY FAMILY, AND IT WAS BECAUSE OF A SCHOLARSHIP THAT I WAS ABLE TO GO.

BUT COLLEGE ATHLETES SACRIFICE SO MUCH OF THEIR TIME AND OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY COMPETITIVELY AND BALANCE THAT WITH SCHOOL.

WHEN I PLAYED VOLLEYBALL AT GEORGETOWN, I COULDN'T COACH A SUMMER CAMP FOR HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS AT HOME BECAUSE ACCORDING TO THE NAACP, IT JEOPARDIZED MY AMATEUR STATUS.

WE KNOW THAT AMATEURISM IS A THING OF THE PAST.

BUT IT HAS BEEN USED TO BUILD A MULTI-MILLION NAACP, THAT IS REALLY TILTED TOWARDS EXECUTIVE AND COACHES ON THE BACKS OF HARD-WORKING, TYPICALLY POOR COLLEGE STUDENTS.

IT IS RIDICULOUS.

I'M SO HAPPY TO SEE THAT THAT IS FINALLY CHANGING.

IT IS CHANGING FOR THE BETTER.

BUT WE DO NEED FEDERAL ACTION TO GUARANTEE -- >> Braude: SORRY TO INTERRUPT YOU, BECAUSE YOU'RE TELLING ME SOMETHING SOMETHING I DEPUTY KNOW, I THINK YOU WENT TO COLLEGE AT GEORGETOWN WITH PEOPLE LIKE MACUMBO -- I KNOW THEY BENEFIT.

WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, YOU WERE NOT A HOUSEHOLD NAME WHEN YOU WERE PLAYING VOLLEYBALL AT GEORGETOWN, YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO EARN OUTSIDE INCOME THAT YOU WOULDN'T OTHERWISE BE ABLE TO DO UNDER CURRENT NAACP RULES.

IS THAT RIGHT?

>> YOU BET.

I THINK WE'VE SEEN THAT IN THE LAST THREE WEEKS, SINCE THE SUPREME COURT DECISION, WE'VE SEEN THIS CRITICAL ARGUMENT THAT WOMEN WILL BE LEFT OUT, JUST THROWN OUT THE WINDOW.

SOME OF THE LARGEST DEALS WE HAVE SEEN ALREADY HAVE BEEN FOR FEMALE ATHLETES.

SO THAT, IN TURN, IS INCREASING THEIR EXPOSURE.

I THINK IT WILL HAVE INCREDIBLE BENEFITS FOR THE WOMEN ATHLETES THEMSELVES, FOR THE SPORTS THEY PLAY, AND IT IS INVALUABLE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF ATHLETES.

YOUNG GIRLS LIKE MY DAUGHTER, WHO ARE SEEING YOUNG ATHLETES, MAYBE IT IS ON SOCIAL MEDIA, MAYBE IT IS IN VIRAL VIDEOS, AND THEY CAN REALLY LOOK UP TO THEM.

I THINK IT WILL HELP WOMEN OVERALL.

MY HOPE IS WE SEE MORE ENGAGEMENT AND PROMOTION OF THE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT OR THE SOFTBALL TOURNY, MORE THAN SO THAN WE DID IN THIS LAST YEAR.

>> Braude: HOPEFULLY THEY CAN GET MORE THAN A COUPLE OF WEIGHTS BOUGHT AT TARGET.

CONGRESSWOMAN, ON VOTING RIGHTS THAT MATTER A LOT TO A LOT OF PEOPLE, THE TEXAS DEMOCRATS HAVE LEFT THE STATE AND DONE THEIR PART.

HIGHER IS MITCH McCONNELL VERY RESPECTFUL RESPONSE TO THEIR MOVE.

>> STATE LEGISLATORS FROM TEXAS DECIDED TO GRAB SOME BEER, HOP ON A PRIVATE PLANE, AND FLEE THE STATE.

IN WHAT THEY ARE PRETENDING IS SOME GREAT, MORAL CRUSADE.

ONCE AGAIN, THIS OUTRAGE IS COMPLETELY PHONY.

>> Braude: MAYBE HE SHOULD HAVE MENTIONED TED CRUZ GOING TO CANCUN.

THE HOUSE HAS DONE ITS SHARE, TOO.

EVERYBODY WATCHING THE SHOW KNOWS THIS DOES NOT BECOME LAW, AND IT DOES NOT PROTECT THE RIGHT TO VOTE IN THIS COUNTRY UNLESS DEMOCRATS DECIDE TO DUMP THE FILIBUSTER AT LEAST FOR THIS BILL.

JOE BIDEN SEEMS RELUCTANT.

BUT IS IT NOT FAIR TO SAY THAT IF THIS DOESN'T BECOME LAW, THE DEMOCRATS SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

THEY DON'T NEED ONE SINGLE REPUBLICAN VOTE TO PUT THIS ON JOE BIDEN'S DESK.

IF IT FAILS, SHOULDN'T VOTERS HOLD MEMBERS OF YOUR PARTY ACCOUNTABLE?

>> WELL, LOOK, I THINK IT STARTS RIGHT NOW WITH REPUBLICAN-STATE LEGISLATORS, AND REPUBLICANS IN WASHINGTON, FRANKLY.

THIS IS NOTHING SHORT OF VOTER SUPPRESSION.

AND IT IS ALL BASED ON A LAW.

AND NOT JUST ANY LAW, BUT THE BIG LIE, THE SAME ONE THAT LED TO AN ATTACK ON OUR CAPITOL, IN AN ATTEMPT TO OVERTURN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

YOU RAISE A GREAT QUESTION.

LOOK AT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THESE VOTER SUPPRESSION TACTICS IN REPUBLICAN-LED STATES, WHICH IS WHY MOMENTUM IS BUILDING TO ELIMINATE THE FILIBUSTER.

IF THE CHOOSE IS SECURING THE FUTURE OF OUR DEMOCRACY FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND PRESERVING A PARLIAMENTARY RULE, I'LL CHOOSE OUR DEMOCRACY ALL DAY LONG.

>> Braude: BUT MY MATH IS RIGHT, CORRECT, YOU DON'T NEED ONE REPUBLICAN VOTE IN THE SENATE TO PROTECT THE VOTING RIGHTS OF AMERICANS IN 50 STATES?

IS THAT NOT CORRECT?

>> IN ORDER FOR US TO PASS THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT AND THE "FOR THE PEOPLE ACT" -- YES, WE WOULD NEED TO, AT A MINIMUM, REFORM THE FILIBUSTER.

AND THAT WOULD REQUIRE A CHANGE TO THE SENATE RULES PACKAGE, AND, YES, WE NEED TO GET THAT VOTE -- >> Braude: WHICH THE DEMOCRATS COULD DO THEMSELVES.

BEFORE YOU GO, I MAY HAVE DONE THIS TO YOU LAST TIME YOU WERE HERE, SO MY APOLOGIES, BUT WHEN I LOOK AT CONGRESS FROM AFAR, I WROTE DOWN A COUPLE OF NOTES.

EVERY REPUBLICAN VOTED AGAINST THE BIDEN COVID RELIEF PACKAGE.

EVERY REPUBLICAN WILL LIKELY VOTE AGAINST EXPANDING THAT MEDICARE COVERAGE OR PROVIDING SOME REMEDY FOR THIS CLIMATE CHANGE THAT IS CAUSING THE WEST TO BURN AND THE EAST TO DROWN IN THIS THING.

YOU WORK WITH PEOPLE WHO THINK A DEADLY ATTACK ON THE CAPITOL NEVER HAPPENED.

AND WHO AT THE SAME TIME SUPPORT A DERANGED PRESIDENT'S ARGUMENTS THAT HE WON AN ELECTION THAT HE LOST BY MILLIONS OF VOTES.

HOW IS DEMOCRACY NOT IRRETRIEVABLY BROKEN, CONGRESSWOMAN?

>> I THINK THE POWER STILL SITS WITH THE PEOPLE, JIM.

AND, YOU KNOW, CONGRESS DEFINITELY ISN'T WINNING ANY AWARDS RIGHT NOW FOR BEST PLACE TO WORK, THAT'S FOR SURE.

IT IS A TOUGH PLACE.

BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT TOO MANY PEOPLE IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WHO HAVE JUST -- THEY'VE LOST THEIR WAY, FRANKLY.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHY VOTING IS SO IMPORTANT.

THAT'S WHY THE PRESIDENT CALLS IT THE VOTING SUPPRESSION TACTICS AN EXPONENTIAL THREAT TO OUR DEMOCRACY.

WE ALL HAVE TO BAN TOGETHER TO PRESERVE OUR DEMOCRACY.

IT IS FRAGILE UNLESS WE'RE ALL PARTICIPATING.

BUT IT IS TRUE.

I HOPE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE KNOW.

I TOUR AROUND MY DISTRICT ALL THE TIME, TOUTING THE BENEFITS FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN, WHICH DIDN'T GET ANY REPUBLICAN VOTES.

THIS IS MONEY IN PEOPLE'S POCKETS, SHOTS IN PEOPLE'S ARMS.

THE REASON WHY WE'RE IN SUCH A GREAT POSITION TODAY IS BECAUSE OF THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN.

IT WILL BE UP FOR VOTERS TO DECIDE NEXT YEAR, IN 2022, WHO THEY WANT TO PUT THEIR FAITH IN IN TERMS OF MOVING OUR COUNTRY FORWARD.

>> Braude: I LOVE HOW REPUBLICANS WHO VOTED AGAINST THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN WENT HOME AND BRAGGED TO THEIR CONSTITUENTS ABOUT WHAT THEY GOT FOR THEM.

CONGRESSWOMAN, IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOF YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU, JIM.

YOU, TOO.

>> Braude: FAR TOO MANY CASES OF SEX TRAFFICKING GO UNREPORTED, BUT AS MY COLLEAGUES AT THE GBH NEWS CENTER FOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING HAVE BEEN UNCOVERING IN AN ONGOING SERIES, CASES OF MALE VICTIMS ARE ESPECIALLY LIKELY TO FLY UNDER THE RADIO.

THEIR REPORTING IS CALLED, "UNSEEN: THE BOY VICTIMS OF THE SEX TRADE," AND THE LATEST INSTALLMENT DIVES INTO ONE OF THE APPS PREDATORS USE TO FIND AND EXPLOIT UNDERAGE BOYS.

GRINDR REFERS TO ITSELF AS THE WORLDS LARGEST SOCIAL NETWORKING APP FOR THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY, BUT AS MY COLLEAGUES REPORT, IT'S ALSO "TEEMING WITH UNDERAGE GAY, BISEXUAL, AND QUESTIONING BOYS WHO CAN EASILY LIE ABOUT THEIR AGE TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE SERVICE."

I'M JOINED NOW BY TWO WHO DID, GERMAN CHAVEZ AND CHRIS BATES, TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS WHO WERE BOTH FEATURED IN THE REPORT, AND SENIOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER, JENNIFER McKIM, WHO'S BEEN COLLABORATING WITH PHILLIP MARTIN ON THIS SERIES.

>> Braude: ALL THREE OF YOU, THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

I APPRECIATE IT.

JEN, CAN I START WITH YOU.

I JUST WANT TO TAKE A STEP BACK AND THEN WE'LL DIG INTO THE THIRD INSTALLMENT.

HOW IS IT THAT SO MANY OF THESE CRIMES GO UNREPORTED AND SO MANY OF THESE YOUNG MALE SURVIVORS GO UNSUPPORTED?

>> THANKS, JIM, SO MUCH FOR HAVING US HERE TO TALK ABOUT THIS REALLY IMPORTANT TOPIC THAT WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT FOR A WHILE IN THIS SERIES "UNSEEN: THE BOY VICTIMS OF THE SEX TRADE."

WHAT WE'VE LEARNED IS TOO OFTEN THESE CASES GO UNREPORTED, ONE, BECAUSE THE VICTIMS DON'T TELL THEIR STORIES EITHER BECAUSE OF SHAME OR STIGMA OR FEAR.

AND WE AS A SOCIETY OFTEN DON'T SEE YOUNG MEN AS VICTIMS AT ALL.

>> Braude: BUT WHEN THEY DO REPORT IT, WHEN THEY DO HAVE THE COURAGE TO COME FORWARD, BASED ON YOUR REPORTING, THERE IS NOT A HELL OF A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR THESE YOUNG MEN AND BOYS, CORRECT?

>> THAT'S TRUE.

THERE IS VERY LITTLE OUT THERE TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE.

AND A LOT OF WHAT WE FOUND IS THAT A LOT OF YOUNG MEN WHO END UP IN THE SEX TRADE ARE DOING WHAT YOU CALL SURVIVAL SEX BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE HELP FROM THEIR COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES, AND THEREFORE ARE FORCED TO SELL THEMSELVES.

>> Braude: GERMAN, IS THAT WHY YOU WENT ON GRINDR WHEN YOU WERE JUST 13 YEARS OLD?

>> ALSO, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

SO TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, WHEN I WENT ON GRINDR, MY FIRST INITIAL, LIKE, THOUGHT AS A MINOR WAS, LIKE, TO FIND PEOPLE LIKE ME.

BECAUSE I ALWAYS USED TO HAVE PEOPLE SAY TO ME, OH, FIND YOUR PEOPLE.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO FIND MY COMMUNITY.

BUT IT THEN BECAME I GOT THE BAD PERSPECTIVE OF IT, WHAT I THOUGHT COMMUNITY MEANT AT THE TIME, AND I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS JUST ALL ABOUT SEX AS A MINOR.

AND THEN AS I GREW UP, I STARTED REALIZING IT WAS MY SURVIVAL SKILL ALSO TO, LIKE, FEED MYSELF OR TO TAKE CARE OF MYSELF.

WHENEVER I NEEDED MONEY, I WOULD, LIKE, GO TO IT.

>> Braude: UNDERSTOOD.

CHRIS, IS THAT STORY THAT GERMAN TELLS SOUND FAMILIAR TO YOU?

>> ABSOLUTELY IT DOES SOUND FAMILIAR.

I GREW UP IN A RURAL COMMUNITY IN CONNECTICUT.

AND GRINDR WAS JUST SO EASY TO ACCESS.

I JUST CHECKED OFF A BOX THAT I WAS OVER THE AGE OF 18.

WHEN I WAS ABLE TO GO ON GRINDR, I WAS SEEKING THE SAME THING.

I WAS TRYING TO FIND MY PEOPLE.

I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE I BELONGED.

I FELT LIKE AN OUTKAST OUTCAST IN MY COMMUNITY.

REALLY THAT'S WHERE I LEARNED SURVIVAL SEX, IS THROUGH THAT APP.

>> Braude: CHRIS, STAYING WITH YOU FOR A SECOND, THERE WERE A LOT OF PAINFUL THINGS IN JEN AND PHILLIP'S REPORTING.

BUT ONE OF THE MOST PAINFUL THINGS, WHICH WAS A COMMON THREAD, THAT YOU FELT LIKE WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU IS YOUR FAULT, THAT YOU WERE THE BAD PERSON IN THIS ABUSE.

WHAT CAUSED YOU -- WHAT WAS THE MOMENT WHERE YOU REALIZED HOW WRONG YOU WERE, AND THAT YOU WERE THE VICTIM, THE SURVIVOR OF THIS, NOT THE BAD ACTOR?

>> I THINK THAT FOR ME WAS -- WHAT WAS GUILT-TRIPPING FOR ME IS THAT I WAS THE ONE WHO DOWNLOADED THE APP.

I WAS THE ONE WHO MADE THE PROFILE.

I WAS THE ONE THAT -- AS I GOT OLDER, I FELT LIKE BECAUSE I MADE THE INITIAL ACT AS A MINOR, I FELT LIKE IT WAS ALWAYS MY FAULT.

AND AS I STARTED TO GROW UP, I KEPT, LIKE, YOU KNOW, PUTTING MYSELF IN A BOX.

WELL, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN'T ACT OR MAKE A DECISION, AND THOSE WERE MY ACTIONS, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I REALIZED ALSO THE ABUSIVE MEN TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE FACT THAT AS A MINOR, I WAS SO VULNERABLE.

I LEARNED IT WAS NOT MY FAULT AT THE SAME TIME, TOO.

>> Braude: CHRIS, HOW DID YOU LEARN IT WAS NOT YOUR FAULT?

>> YEAH, SO I KIND OF FEEL, LIKE, THE SAME WAY.

I DIDN'T REALLY KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT DISPOSABLE INCOME.

I GREW UP IN A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME, WHERE MY MOM STRUGGLED.

SO IN ORDER TO GET A PAIR OF SNEAKERS, IT WAS LIKE A WHOLE DAY AT EVELYN'S, AND A FIGHT COMING BACK.

I REALLY THOUGHT I WAS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THESE GUYS WHEN THEY WERE PURCHASING ACCESS TO MY BODY.

IT WASN'T UNTIL, LIKE, PROBABLY 23 IS WHEN I STARTED RECOGNIZING THAT I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING -- I WAS ABLE TO ACCESS GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE, SECURE SECURE AND STABLE HOUSING, AND I WANTED TO GET INVOLVED IN MY COMMUNITY.

THAT'S WHEN I STARTED VOLUNTEERING AT A LOCAL HOMELESSNESS SHELTER, AND FROM THERE I WENT TO A HUMAN TRAFFICKING TRAINING, AND REALLY THAT'S WHERE I LEARNED THERE WAS A NAME TO WHAT I HAD EXPERIENCED.

AND THAT WAS SEX TAFFICKING AND EXPLOITATION, WHICH IS THE EXCHANGE OF MONEY FOR ME.

>> Braude: JEN, IS THERE -- DOES THE APP BEAR NO LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY TO AT LEAST TRY TO UNDERAGED PEOPLE OFF THE DAM SITE?

>> SO THE SITE -- FIRST OF ALL, GRINDR IS NOT ALONE.

BUT THIS ONE IS PARTICULARLY CONCERNING BECAUSE IT DOES ATTRACT PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE GAY AND BISEXUAL KIDS.

THEY BASICALLY SAY THEY RESTRICT THE -- THEY RESTRICT THE WEBSITES AND ASK PEOPLE WHO ARE 18 AND OLDER, BUT BASICALLY DO NOTHING TO VERIFY IDENTITIES, AND THE LAW PROTECTS THEM.

>> Braude: YOU KNOW, WHAT I THINK WOULD BE USEFUL FOR A SECOND, STARTING WITH YOU, CHRIS, IN OUR FINAL MINUTE OR TWO, I KNOW YOU'VE BECOME AN ADVOCATE AND POWERFUL VOICE ON THIS.

CHRIS, WHAT DO YOU SAY TO A KID THE SAME AGE YOU WERE, WHO IS CONFUSED, THANKS,THINKS, AGAIN, HE IS NOT THE PROBLEM.

WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO THEM?

>> WOW, I THINK THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

AND I THINK OF MYSELF AS A YOUNG PERSON, WHEN YOU ASKED ME THAT QUESTION.

I REALLY THINK ABOUT HOW THE SITUATION IN MY BROKEN, DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY, MADE ME FEEL LIKE REACHING OUT FOR HELP.

I WAS REALLY AFRAID OF THE UNKNOWINGNESS, AND I WAS TOLD WHAT HAPPENS IN THIS HOUSE STAYS IN THIS HOUSE.

WHAT I WOULD TELL THAT YOUNG PERSON IS REALLY TRY TO REACH OUT FOR SUPPORT.

AND MAYBE THE TIME THAT YOU REACH OUT, IT MAY NOT BE THE MOST HELPFUL PERSON, BUT KEEP TRYING.

AND, YOU KNOW, IF YOU'RE SEEKING POSITIVITY, YOU'LL END UP GETTING IT.

THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE ABLE TO HELP YOU IN THESE SITUATIONS.

AND REALLY STAY OFF THESE APPS.

>> Braude: GERMAN, I ONLY HAVE A FEW SECONDS LESTER.

WHAT DOLEFT.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT YOUNG BOY WATCHING?

>> NOT ONLY TO THE YOUNG BOYS, BUT TO THEIOUN THE YOUNG TRANS AND YOUNG GIRLS OUT THERE, TOO, FIND YOUR PEOPLE, BUT DON'T FIND THEM ON THE APPS.

THERE ARE ORGANIZATIONS OUT THERE THAT CAN BE EASY TO ACCESS.

EVEN IF YOU'RE IN SCHOOL, TALK TO YOUR COUNSELOR.

I TELL MY CHILDREN, IF YOU DON'T HAVE A COMMUNITY, YOU CAN BE THE ADVOCATE TO CREATE YOUR OWN COMMUNITY AND SAY, WE'RE HERE, WE'RE QUIER, ANDWEIRWE'REHERE AND WE'RE QUEER, AND LET'S TALK ABOUT IT IS.

>> Braude: YOU'RE MAKING AN IMPORTANT IMPACT ON LOTS AND LOTS OF PEOPLE BECAUSE OF YOUR COURAGE.

JEN, YOU AND PHILLIP HAVE DONE INCREDIBLE WORK.

THANK YOU ALL THREE FOR YOUR TIME.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANKS VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Braude: WHEN COVID SHUTDOWNS BEGAN LAST YEAR, COLLEGE STUDENTS WERE SENT HOME AND TOURISTS LARGELY VANISHED.

A PLACE LIKE HARVARD SQUARE DEPENDS ON BOTH.

NOT SURPRISINGLY, LOCAL BUSINESSES WERE NERVOUS.

SO HOW DID THE ICONIC SQUARE WEATHER THE DARKEST MONTHS OF COVID?

LIZ NEISLOSS CHECKED BACK IN MORE THAN A YEAR LATER.

>> WHEN COVID SHUT DOWN HARVARD SQUARE OVER A YEAR AGO, IT QUICKLY BEGAN TO LOOK LIKE A GHOST TOWN.

AT LE PETIT SALON CURL CONCEPT, CANCELLATIONS FLOODED IN.

OWNER TEO SORCE TRIED TO BE OPTIMISTIC.

>> HELLO, EVERYONE.

COME AND HAVE A HAIRCUT.

WE'RE GONNA BE OKAY.

>> BUT SALONS EVERYWHERE WERE HARD HIT, AND IT TURNED INTO A BRUTAL YEAR FOR SORCE.

COVID KILLED SEVERAL FAMILY MEMBERS BACK IN BRAZIL.

ON TOP OF THAT, HER BUSINESS ALL BUT DRIED UP.

AND NOW?

>> WELL, IT STARTED TO GET BETTER, A LITTLE BETTER, BUT -- BUT NOT YET.

IT'S HARD TO TALK ABOUT.

>> YET SORCE'S DETERMINED, AND IN A BUSINESS THAT NORMALLY DEMANDS CLOSE CONTACT, SHE'S TRIED TO BE NIMBLE.

>> HOW ARE YOU?

>> A CLIENT DROPS BY AND SORCE HANDS OFF PACKAGE OF CUSTOM HAIR COLOR.

DURING COVID SHE'S BEEN PREPARING MIXES OF COLOR TO USE AT HOME.

>> YOUR HAIR IS LEVEL 6.

>> SOME CLIENTS HAVE STARTED TRICKLING BACK, AND SHE'S HOPEFUL LIFTING RESTRICTIONS WILL HELP FILL THE SALON AGAIN.

JUST DOWNSTAIRS FROM THE SALON, A DIFFERENT BUSINESS AND A VASTLY DIFFERENT PICTURE.

>> KEEP SIX FEET BETWEEN PARTIES.

>> ON THIS SATURDAY, THERE'S A LONG, MEANDERING LINE OF COSTUMERS WAITING OUTSIDE BLACK SHEEP BAGELS.

>> MARA?

CREAMCHEESE, ALL ONE WORD, LOWER CASE.

>> BUT OVER A YEAR AGO, CO-OWNER MANNY RAMIREZ WAS NERVOUS.

FOR TWO MONTHS SALES TANKED.

P.P.P.

MONEY AND CAMBRIDGE CITY GRANTS HELPED, BUT THEY ALSO DUG INTO THEIR SAVINGS TO KEEP MORE THAN A DOZEN STAFF EMPLOYED.

TO BOOST BUSINESS, THE CAFE BECOME A GRAB AND GO.

>> WE DECIDED, YOU KNOW, HUNKER DOWN AND STAY OPEN AND TRY TO NAVIGATE THROUGH COVID, KEEP OUR STAFF ENTIRELY, WHICH, SUCCESSFULLY, WE DID.

AND THE FIRST TWO MONTHS WERE PRETTY CRAZY, PRETTY CHAOTIC, AND, YOU KNOW, IT BALANCED THROUGH.

OUR COSTUMERS CAME THROUGH FOR US.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD CAME THROUGH FOR US.

THE CITY WAS A TON OF HELP.

>> BUT IT ALSO TOOK HELP FROM LANDLORDS.

ACCORDING TO THE HARVARD SQUARE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION, THE MAJORITY OF LANDLORDS WERE WILLING TO NEGOTIATE RENTS, INCLUDING SOME WHO AGREED TO TAKE ONLY A PERCENTAGE OF THE STORE REVENUE AS RENT.

OF THE 291 BUSINESSES THAT WERE OPEN PRE-PANDEMIC, THE ASSOCIATION SAYS ROUGHLY 85% HAVE SURVIVED.

>> 76% ARE LOCALLY OWNED, INDEPENDENT, SO THE DECISION-MAKERS ARE RIGHT HERE ON THE GROUND IN HARVARD SQUARE, AND THEY FIGURED IT OUT AND THEY WERE NIMBLE AND FLEXIBLE AND THEY WERE CREATIVE AND THEY WERE ENERGETIC AND THEY HUNG ON TIGHT.

AND THAT'S MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD.

>> MEANWHILE, RAMIREZ AND HIS WIFE HAVE NOT ONLY HUNG ON, BUT THEY'VE EXPANDED JUST BEYOND THE SQUARE.

>> HI.

WHAT CAN WE GET FOR YOU?

>> SEVERAL MONTHS INTO COVID, WHEN A SPACE CLAIM UP FOR RENT, RAMIREZ SAYS THEY GRABBED THE OPPORTUNITY TO OPEN BLACK SHEEP MARKET, WHICH FOCUSES ON LOCAL PRODUCTS.

AND AT LE PETIT SALON CURL CONCEPT TEO SORCE IS DETERMINED TO BUILD BACK HER BUSINESS.

>> JUST TRY TO SURVIVE.

IS NOTHING I CAN DO.

TRY TO PUSH ALL THE -- DEFER ALL THOSE BILLS AND WAITING TO PAY WHEN WE FULLY REOPEN, RIGHT?

>> AFTER THE SEASON OF DARKNESS COMES THE SPRING OF HOPE.

LIZ NEISLOSS, GBH NEWS.

>> Braude: PRE-PANDEMIC, SIX TO EIGHT MILLION TOURISTS A YEAR WOULD VISIT HARVARD SQUARE.

LAST YEAR IT WAS DOWN TO ALMOST NOTHING.

WITH THE PANDEMIC STILL SURGING IN OTHER COUNTRIES, FOREIGN TOURISTS AREN'T EXPECTED BACK IN BIG NUMBERS JUST YET.

THE HARVARD SQUARE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION IS HOPING REGIONAL AND U.S.

TOURISTS WILL PICK UP THAT SLACK.

>>> THAT'S IT FOR TONIGHT, BUT COME BACK TOMORROW FOR A LOOK AT THE DOCUMENTARY, "THE LAST PIG," THE STORY OF A LIVESTOCK FARMER WHO BECOMES VEGAN AND DECIDES TO FARM VEGETABLES INSTEAD.

THAT AND MORE, TOMORROW AT 7:00 THANKS FOR WATCHING AND PLEASE STAY SAFE.

Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org ♪♪