Combating Sex Trafficking: Myths and Realities
The recent rise of conspiracy theories involving child sex trafficking, such as Pizzagate and QAnon, has warped perceptions of a significant issue that was already plagued by widely-held myths and misleading pop cultural narratives. The truth is that sex trafficking is a persistent problem. But without a much better societal understanding of the realities, we will not make progress toward preventing sex trafficking and helping victims rebuild their lives.
Workshop Time and Date: Thursday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. CT
Workshop Lead: Joel Shapiro ’89
Meet Joel
Joel Shapiro is the executive director and co-founder of the Trafficking Law Center, which provides pro bono legal services to human trafficking survivors in Oregon. He has been involved in efforts to combat domestic sex trafficking for more than a decade. This work started when he served as chief counsel to U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, and developed the first federal legislation focused on domestic sex trafficking. As an attorney, he has represented sex trafficking victims and survivors in litigation against Backpage.com, hotels, and strip clubs. In the first sex trafficking litigation brought in Oregon, Shapiro helped secure $3.25 million in damages on behalf of a 13-year old girl and 15-year old girl who were trafficked by pimps in a local strip club.
Online registrations for this event are now closed.