ST. PAUL — A nonprofit group is opening a shelter for sex trafficking victims in St. Paul as Minnesota’s Safe Harbor law takes effect.

The group 180 Degrees will open the shelter in the city’s east side today. That’s when the law goes into effect to treat trafficked girls ages 17 and under as victims instead of criminals. It passed in 2011.

The new 7,000-square-foot shelter will offer 14 beds for girls 10-17 years old who have been sexually exploited. The shelter will provide mental health and chemical dependency services.

It is named Brittany’s Place for 18-year-old Brittany Clardy. She was found dead in an impound lot in February 2013. Authorities said she worked as a prostitute and was killed by a customer.