The Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation Symposium, 10/13

“Combatting Commercial Sexual Exploitation through Equality Model Policies and Laws”

Friday, October 13
8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Laurence E. Hirsch ’71 Classroom (Room 101)
John F. Scarpa Hall
Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law

At the conclusion of our 2022 symposium, it was clear that the Equality Model is the most effective legal model to address the harm caused by commercial sexual exploitation. Full decriminalization models and corresponding legal frameworks inadequately address many of the problems faced by survivors of commercial sexual exploitation. In July of this year, Maine became the first state to pass Equality Model Legislation and the rest of the states are contemplating the next steps in addressing commercial sexual exploitation by introducing similar legislation.

For this year’s symposium, please join us for cutting-edge panel presentations from survivors driving policy reforms alongside attorneys and law reformers, including panelists from Maine and Sweden, to guide our next steps in Pennsylvania and beyond.

The Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board has approved this program for 6 Substantive In-Person CLE credits. Please note registration prior to the event is required. 

To further support the CSE Institute, please consider making a one-time gift or recurring donation. Your gift of any amount helps provide education and technical assistance to those on the frontlines of commercial sexual exploitation.

Thank you to our generous supporters:

Agenda

Subject to change

8:30 AM: Welcome Remarks

• Michelle Madden Dempsey, Professor of Law & Harold Reuschlein Scholar Chair, Villanova Law

8:35–10:35 AM: Panel 1: Sweden: Where it All Started

• Silvia Ingolfsdottir Åkermark, Attorney Brottsbyran advokatena Akermark & Lodin AB
• Anna Ekstedt, Swedish Ambassador at Large for Combating Trafficking in Persons
• Madeleine Sundell, National Coordinator Anti-Human Trafficking, The Salvation Army, Sweden
• Annika Svensson, National Police, Sweden
  
• Moderated by Ane Mathieson, Program Director, The EMPOWER Center Sanctuary for Families

10:35–11:00 AM: Political Will and Substantive Rules: The Role of Politics in Developing Laws to Combat Commercial Sexual Exploitation

• Joanna McClinton ’06, Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives

11:00–11:30 AM: Break

11:30 AM–12:15 PM: Fireside Chat

• Jonathan Machler, Executive Director of CAP International (Coalition Abolition Prostitution)
• Moderated by Shea M. Rhodes ’97, Director & Co-Founder of the Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation, Villanova Law

12:15-1:30 PM: Lunch & Networking

1:30 – 3:00 PM: Panel 2: Maine: Successful Advocacy Lessons Learned

• Eleanor Kennelly Gaetan, PhD, Vice President & Director of Public Policy, National Center on Sexual Exploitation
• Tricia Grant, Executive Director, Just Love Worldwide
  
• Lois Galgay Reckitt, Maine State Representative
• Nate Walsh, Assistant District Attorney, Androscoggin County District Attorney's Office
  
• Moderated by Yasmin Vafa, Co-founder & Executive Director, Rights4Girls

3:00–3:15 PM: Break

3:15– 4:45 PM: Panel 3: Massachusetts: Survivors Driving Equality Model Legislation

• Audra Doody, Co-CEO, Living in Freedom Together, Inc. (LIFT)
• Nora Gallo, Public Policy & Advocacy Manager, My Life My Choice
• Audrey Morrissey, Co-Executive Director, My Life My Choice
• Delia Vega, Senior Survivor Mentor & Policy and Advocacy Specialist, My Life My Choice
• Ryann Whitaker, Living in Freedom Together (LIFT)
• Moderated by Alisa Bernard, National Campaign Manager, World Without Exploitation
  

4:45-5:00 PM: Closing Remarks

• Shea M. Rhodes ’97, Director & Co-Founder of the Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation, Villanova Law