I spent a decade of my legal career as a
I spent a decade of my legal career as a prosecutor for the city of Philadelphia
I’ve always wanted to add the Cade on
I’ve always wanted to add the Cade on behalf of women children and those
behalf of women children and those
behalf of women children and those who’ve been marginalized in the face of
who’ve been marginalized in the face of
who’ve been marginalized in the face of injustice one of the cases that
injustice one of the cases that
injustice one of the cases that continues to haunt me is from 2011 a
continues to haunt me is from 2011 a
continues to haunt me is from 2011 a mummers club was raided in South
mummers club was raided in South
mummers club was raided in South Philadelphia after an investigation
Philadelphia after an investigation
Philadelphia after an investigation revealed that a monthly sex party was
revealed that a monthly sex party was
revealed that a monthly sex party was happening at the club the night of the
happening at the club the night of the
happening at the club the night of the raid ten women were arrested for the
raid ten women were arrested for the
raid ten women were arrested for the crime of prostitution over fifty men who
crime of prostitution over fifty men who
crime of prostitution over fifty men who paid to the to attend the sex party
paid to the to attend the sex party
paid to the to attend the sex party they weren’t arrested and while they
they weren’t arrested and while they
they weren’t arrested and while they went home to their wives and their
went home to their wives and their
went home to their wives and their families one by one those ten women they
families one by one those ten women they
families one by one those ten women they were paraded in front of the media
were paraded in front of the media
were paraded in front of the media cameras and the next day their arrest
cameras and the next day their arrest
cameras and the next day their arrest photographs were all over the local news
those ten women and hundreds of
those ten women and hundreds of thousands of women and girls in this
thousands of women and girls in this
thousands of women and girls in this country are prostituted in society views
country are prostituted in society views
country are prostituted in society views this choice to sell sex you know like
this choice to sell sex you know like
this choice to sell sex you know like they just they want to do it and you
they just they want to do it and you
they just they want to do it and you know it’s even fashionable right now
know it’s even fashionable right now
know it’s even fashionable right now that people who sell sex are considered
that people who sell sex are considered
that people who sell sex are considered to be empowered the reality is that you
to be empowered the reality is that you
to be empowered the reality is that you know we’ve convinced ourselves that this
know we’ve convinced ourselves that this
know we’ve convinced ourselves that this is work that they choose because it’s
is work that they choose because it’s
is work that they choose because it’s the best option they have or because
the best option they have or because
the best option they have or because it’s the best of a couple of different
it’s the best of a couple of different
it’s the best of a couple of different bad options but you know hey it’s there
bad options but you know hey it’s there
bad options but you know hey it’s there it’s their choice
it’s their choice
it’s their choice let’s talk about choice for a minute not
let’s talk about choice for a minute not
let’s talk about choice for a minute not the choices that we make every day like
the choices that we make every day like
the choices that we make every day like whether to have sweet potato or regular
whether to have sweet potato or regular
whether to have sweet potato or regular fries with our burger and not even the
fries with our burger and not even the
fries with our burger and not even the choices that might have some impact on
choices that might have some impact on
choices that might have some impact on our lives like which neighborhood to
our lives like which neighborhood to
our lives like which neighborhood to live in have you ever made a choice
live in have you ever made a choice
live in have you ever made a choice based on fear desperation or
based on fear desperation or
based on fear desperation or hopelessness the choice that those 10
hopelessness the choice that those 10
hopelessness the choice that those 10 women made to be sold for sex it’s often
women made to be sold for sex it’s often
women made to be sold for sex it’s often not made freely and that choice can lead
not made freely and that choice can lead
not made freely and that choice can lead to pain lasting trauma and even death
to pain lasting trauma and even death
to pain lasting trauma and even death and the choice to be prostituted is most
and the choice to be prostituted is most
and the choice to be prostituted is most often a choice between a couple of not
often a choice between a couple of not
often a choice between a couple of not great options like be prostituted or
great options like be prostituted or
great options like be prostituted or starve be prostituted or watched your
starve be prostituted or watched your
starve be prostituted or watched your kids starve be prostituted or live on
kids starve be prostituted or live on
kids starve be prostituted or live on the streets and research tells us that
the streets and research tells us that
the streets and research tells us that those in the sex trade even for just a
those in the sex trade even for just a
those in the sex trade even for just a few months suffer from deep and
few months suffer from deep and
few months suffer from deep and long-lasting trauma and those ten women
long-lasting trauma and those ten women
long-lasting trauma and those ten women at the sex party their lives in the sex
at the sex party their lives in the sex
at the sex party their lives in the sex trade most likely consisted of trauma
trade most likely consisted of trauma
trade most likely consisted of trauma heaped upon trauma in society considers
heaped upon trauma in society considers
heaped upon trauma in society considers that choice and the consequences that
that choice and the consequences that
that choice and the consequences that stem from that choice to be their sole
stem from that choice to be their sole
stem from that choice to be their sole burden why does the commercial sex trade
burden why does the commercial sex trade
burden why does the commercial sex trade and commercial sexual exploitation exist
and commercial sexual exploitation exist
and commercial sexual exploitation exist in this country
because the demand for commercial sex
because the demand for commercial sex exists if we target the buyers the
exists if we target the buyers the
exists if we target the buyers the supply will stop no buyers no business
remember the patrons inside the sex
remember the patrons inside the sex party over fifty men they were free to
party over fifty men they were free to
party over fifty men they were free to leave
leave
leave they weren’t named they never saw the
they weren’t named they never saw the
they weren’t named they never saw the media cameras and they weren’t arrested
media cameras and they weren’t arrested
media cameras and they weren’t arrested despite the fact that buying sex is a
despite the fact that buying sex is a
despite the fact that buying sex is a crime you all know that buying sex is a
crime you all know that buying sex is a
crime you all know that buying sex is a crime right
crime right
crime right let’s examine their choice to pay for
let’s examine their choice to pay for
let’s examine their choice to pay for sex because paying for sex is truly a
sex because paying for sex is truly a
sex because paying for sex is truly a free choice and the choice that they
free choice and the choice that they
free choice and the choice that they made and buyers make every time they pay
made and buyers make every time they pay
made and buyers make every time they pay for sex
for sex
for sex most likely didn’t have lasting negative
most likely didn’t have lasting negative
most likely didn’t have lasting negative consequences on their lives it didn’t
consequences on their lives it didn’t
consequences on their lives it didn’t violate their bodies it didn’t destroy
violate their bodies it didn’t destroy
violate their bodies it didn’t destroy their mental health but the impact that
their mental health but the impact that
their mental health but the impact that it has on prostituted persons it’s
it has on prostituted persons it’s
it has on prostituted persons it’s indescribable law enforcement has spent
indescribable law enforcement has spent
indescribable law enforcement has spent decades policing the sex industry by
decades policing the sex industry by
decades policing the sex industry by targeting those who are traumatized and
targeting those who are traumatized and
targeting those who are traumatized and hurt the victims those 10 women who are
hurt the victims those 10 women who are
hurt the victims those 10 women who are arrested the night in the mummer’s Club
arrested the night in the mummer’s Club
arrested the night in the mummer’s Club that’s that’s the norm
law enforcement focuses on arresting
law enforcement focuses on arresting those who’ve been victimized and
those who’ve been victimized and
those who’ve been victimized and traumatized well and treats them like
traumatized well and treats them like
traumatized well and treats them like criminals well the true offenders the
criminals well the true offenders the
criminals well the true offenders the ones who inflict the harm and deepen the
ones who inflict the harm and deepen the
ones who inflict the harm and deepen the trauma the traffickers the sex buyers
trauma the traffickers the sex buyers
trauma the traffickers the sex buyers they’re targeted to an extraordinarily
they’re targeted to an extraordinarily
they’re targeted to an extraordinarily lesser extent these law enforcement
lesser extent these law enforcement
lesser extent these law enforcement tactics have been used over and over
tactics have been used over and over
tactics have been used over and over with the goal of ending the illegal sex
with the goal of ending the illegal sex
with the goal of ending the illegal sex trade and guess what it hasn’t worked
trade and guess what it hasn’t worked
trade and guess what it hasn’t worked and it won’t work after witnessing all
and it won’t work after witnessing all
and it won’t work after witnessing all of these in Justice’s first hand as a
of these in Justice’s first hand as a
of these in Justice’s first hand as a prosecutor I quit my job and four years
prosecutor I quit my job and four years
prosecutor I quit my job and four years ago i co-founded the Institute to
ago i co-founded the Institute to
ago i co-founded the Institute to address commercial sexual exploitation
address commercial sexual exploitation
address commercial sexual exploitation at Villanova Law School the CSC
at Villanova Law School the CSC
at Villanova Law School the CSC Institute we trained lawyers to practice
Institute we trained lawyers to practice
Institute we trained lawyers to practice trauma-informed lawyering skills we
trauma-informed lawyering skills we
trauma-informed lawyering skills we teach law enforcement how to investigate
teach law enforcement how to investigate
teach law enforcement how to investigate and prosecute these cases we host a
and prosecute these cases we host a
and prosecute these cases we host a survivor symposium to give survivors a
survivor symposium to give survivors a
survivor symposium to give survivors a platform from which to speak and to have
platform from which to speak and to have
platform from which to speak and to have their voices heard we focus our work
their voices heard we focus our work
their voices heard we focus our work primarily in Pennsylvania but I really
primarily in Pennsylvania but I really
primarily in Pennsylvania but I really would like our efforts to be felt
would like our efforts to be felt
would like our efforts to be felt nationally but the problem in
nationally but the problem in
nationally but the problem in Pennsylvania is right in front of us
Pennsylvania is right in front of us
Pennsylvania is right in front of us so let’s start here in 2017 2017 alone
so let’s start here in 2017 2017 alone
so let’s start here in 2017 2017 alone there were 1443 arrests just arrests the
there were 1443 arrests just arrests the
there were 1443 arrests just arrests the tip of the iceberg for prostitution
tip of the iceberg for prostitution
tip of the iceberg for prostitution there were 447 arrests for mine sex
consider that if those 1443 people had
consider that if those 1443 people had at least five sex buyers a day on one
at least five sex buyers a day on one
at least five sex buyers a day on one day that means that a little more than
day that means that a little more than
day that means that a little more than 7,200 people got away with committing a
7,200 people got away with committing a
7,200 people got away with committing a crime and those 7,200 people would
crime and those 7,200 people would
crime and those 7,200 people would contribute to the pain and the trauma of
contribute to the pain and the trauma of
contribute to the pain and the trauma of one thousand four hundred and forty
one thousand four hundred and forty
one thousand four hundred and forty three people they would choose to do so
three people they would choose to do so
three people they would choose to do so and they would be culpable let’s let’s
and they would be culpable let’s let’s
and they would be culpable let’s let’s consider some national data on the sex
consider some national data on the sex
consider some national data on the sex industry there’s data collected by the
industry there’s data collected by the
industry there’s data collected by the National John suppression initiative
National John suppression initiative
National John suppression initiative it’s a law enforcement operation that
it’s a law enforcement operation that
it’s a law enforcement operation that aims to targets expires in an effort to
aims to targets expires in an effort to
aims to targets expires in an effort to end the demand for prostitution and
end the demand for prostitution and
end the demand for prostitution and their data has revealed something just
their data has revealed something just
their data has revealed something just fascinating men who buy sex are more
fascinating men who buy sex are more
fascinating men who buy sex are more often white educated employed married
often white educated employed married
often white educated employed married and middle-aged we all know someone who
and middle-aged we all know someone who
and middle-aged we all know someone who fits that description meanwhile their
fits that description meanwhile their
fits that description meanwhile their data also tells us that those who are
data also tells us that those who are
data also tells us that those who are exploited for sex are frequently
exploited for sex are frequently
exploited for sex are frequently teenagers uneducated homeless and
teenagers uneducated homeless and
teenagers uneducated homeless and experienced violence against them as
experienced violence against them as
experienced violence against them as children this makes me really
children this makes me really
children this makes me really uncomfortable
this should make all of us uncomfortable
this should make all of us uncomfortable those with more power and privilege are
those with more power and privilege are
those with more power and privilege are buying the bodies of those with far less
buying the bodies of those with far less
buying the bodies of those with far less power
think about where the choice lies there
think about where the choice lies there and it’s not with the prostituted person
and it’s not with the prostituted person
and it’s not with the prostituted person so breaking it down here’s what’s going
so breaking it down here’s what’s going
so breaking it down here’s what’s going on men who buy sex who choose to buy sex
on men who buy sex who choose to buy sex
on men who buy sex who choose to buy sex are inflicting pain and deepening
are inflicting pain and deepening
are inflicting pain and deepening pre-existing trauma on those who would
pre-existing trauma on those who would
pre-existing trauma on those who would not and do not freely choose to have
not and do not freely choose to have
not and do not freely choose to have that harm inflicted on that there is a
that harm inflicted on that there is a
that harm inflicted on that there is a movement both here and internationally
movement both here and internationally
movement both here and internationally to legalize the entire sex industry
to legalize the entire sex industry
to legalize the entire sex industry their arguments on aren’t based in
their arguments on aren’t based in
their arguments on aren’t based in reality but they go like this
reality but they go like this
reality but they go like this if prostitution were legal it would be
if prostitution were legal it would be
if prostitution were legal it would be safer to sell sex they could make a
safer to sell sex they could make a
safer to sell sex they could make a living the cops would be more likely to
living the cops would be more likely to
living the cops would be more likely to respond to their concerns such as rape
respond to their concerns such as rape
respond to their concerns such as rape these arguments don’t offer protection
these arguments don’t offer protection
these arguments don’t offer protection being able to call the police after
being able to call the police after
being able to call the police after being beaten it won’t stop them from
being beaten it won’t stop them from
being beaten it won’t stop them from being beaten in the first place the sex
being beaten in the first place the sex
being beaten in the first place the sex trade has been legalized around the
trade has been legalized around the
trade has been legalized around the world in Germany the Netherlands and
world in Germany the Netherlands and
world in Germany the Netherlands and parts of Australia and we know that in
parts of Australia and we know that in
parts of Australia and we know that in countries where it’s legal the violence
countries where it’s legal the violence
countries where it’s legal the violence against prostituted people doesn’t
against prostituted people doesn’t
against prostituted people doesn’t decline their PTSD doesn’t decline and
decline their PTSD doesn’t decline and
decline their PTSD doesn’t decline and sex trafficking actually increases we
sex trafficking actually increases we
sex trafficking actually increases we need to flip this script we need to
need to flip this script we need to
need to flip this script we need to redefine the way that we look at the
redefine the way that we look at the
redefine the way that we look at the commercial sex industry and the way that
commercial sex industry and the way that
commercial sex industry and the way that we look at choice and culpability
we look at choice and culpability
we look at choice and culpability because when we do
because when we do
because when we do it becomes abundantly clear that we’re
it becomes abundantly clear that we’re
it becomes abundantly clear that we’re not feast with the dichotomy of one
not feast with the dichotomy of one
not feast with the dichotomy of one person having choice and another person
person having choice and another person
person having choice and another person having culpability choice and
having culpability choice and
having culpability choice and culpability exist in the same person the
culpability exist in the same person the
culpability exist in the same person the sex buyer we should strive to follow the
sex buyer we should strive to follow the
sex buyer we should strive to follow the Nordic model or the Equality model the
Nordic model or the Equality model the
Nordic model or the Equality model the law that was first passed in Sweden it
law that was first passed in Sweden it
law that was first passed in Sweden it does exactly this it shifts the paradigm
does exactly this it shifts the paradigm
does exactly this it shifts the paradigm and focuses the stigma and the
and focuses the stigma and the
and focuses the stigma and the criminalization on those who buy sex and
criminalization on those who buy sex and
criminalization on those who buy sex and it recognizes that those who are sold
it recognizes that those who are sold
it recognizes that those who are sold for sex the ones experiencing the pain
for sex the ones experiencing the pain
for sex the ones experiencing the pain and the trauma that they deserve our
and the trauma that they deserve our
and the trauma that they deserve our help and services since 1999 when the
help and services since 1999 when the
help and services since 1999 when the law went into effect in Sweden we know
law went into effect in Sweden we know
law went into effect in Sweden we know that the results have been tremendous
that the results have been tremendous
that the results have been tremendous the number of prostituted persons went
the number of prostituted persons went
the number of prostituted persons went from three thousand to three hundred our
from three thousand to three hundred our
from three thousand to three hundred our system is broken but we can fix it we
system is broken but we can fix it we
system is broken but we can fix it we have a proven model to follow so here’s
have a proven model to follow so here’s
have a proven model to follow so here’s the reality this uncomfortable feeling
the reality this uncomfortable feeling
the reality this uncomfortable feeling that we all have it’s a good thing
that we all have it’s a good thing
that we all have it’s a good thing because we can do something about it
because we can do something about it
because we can do something about it become aware notice the problem pay
become aware notice the problem pay
become aware notice the problem pay attention to the words that you use
attention to the words that you use
attention to the words that you use gender-based violence starts early and
gender-based violence starts early and
gender-based violence starts early and prostitution is gender-based violence
prostitution is gender-based violence
prostitution is gender-based violence dear friends by sex does your boss when
dear friends by sex does your boss when
dear friends by sex does your boss when your buddy travels on business and you
your buddy travels on business and you
your buddy travels on business and you know that he buy sex and you don’t say
know that he buy sex and you don’t say
know that he buy sex and you don’t say anything you’re providing a silent
anything you’re providing a silent
anything you’re providing a silent endorsement what are we teaching our
endorsement what are we teaching our
endorsement what are we teaching our kids what behavior are we modeling speak
kids what behavior are we modeling speak
kids what behavior are we modeling speak up be the voice that can help the
up be the voice that can help the
up be the voice that can help the voiceless the ones with little choice
voiceless the ones with little choice
voiceless the ones with little choice and whose humanity is being discounted
and whose humanity is being discounted
and whose humanity is being discounted the ones who are we are hurting by the
the ones who are we are hurting by the
the ones who are we are hurting by the choices that we’re making it’s far
choices that we’re making it’s far
choices that we’re making it’s far easier to look away than to recognize
easier to look away than to recognize
easier to look away than to recognize that people with little power being sold
that people with little power being sold
that people with little power being sold for sex that you know even we just need
for sex that you know even we just need
for sex that you know even we just need to suggest that we stop telling
to suggest that we stop telling
to suggest that we stop telling ourselves that this isn’t a problem it
ourselves that this isn’t a problem it
ourselves that this isn’t a problem it doesn’t affect us or even worse that
doesn’t affect us or even worse that
doesn’t affect us or even worse that it’s not a problem at all because there
it’s not a problem at all because there
it’s not a problem at all because there aren’t any victims reject the lives
aren’t any victims reject the lives
aren’t any victims reject the lives commercial sexual exploitation it’s too
commercial sexual exploitation it’s too
commercial sexual exploitation it’s too prevalent it’s too traumatizing and it’s
prevalent it’s too traumatizing and it’s
prevalent it’s too traumatizing and it’s too tragic to look away choice is a
too tragic to look away choice is a
too tragic to look away choice is a powerful thing choice can open a door to
powerful thing choice can open a door to
powerful thing choice can open a door to freedom
freedom
freedom let’s choose to start talking about who
let’s choose to start talking about who
let’s choose to start talking about who buy sex and why they can choose to do so
buy sex and why they can choose to do so
buy sex and why they can choose to do so let’s choose to recognize that those who
let’s choose to recognize that those who
let’s choose to recognize that those who are being sold for sex need our help
let’s choose to effectuate change thank
let’s choose to effectuate change thank you
you
you [Applause]
[Music]
[Music] you
I spent a decade of my legal career as a prosecutor for the city of Philadelphia
I’ve always wanted to add the Cade on
I’ve always wanted to add the Cade on behalf of women children and those
behalf of women children and those
behalf of women children and those who’ve been marginalized in the face of
who’ve been marginalized in the face of
who’ve been marginalized in the face of injustice one of the cases that
injustice one of the cases that
injustice one of the cases that continues to haunt me is from 2011 a
continues to haunt me is from 2011 a
continues to haunt me is from 2011 a mummers club was raided in South
mummers club was raided in South
mummers club was raided in South Philadelphia after an investigation
Philadelphia after an investigation
Philadelphia after an investigation revealed that a monthly sex party was
revealed that a monthly sex party was
revealed that a monthly sex party was happening at the club the night of the
happening at the club the night of the
happening at the club the night of the raid ten women were arrested for the
raid ten women were arrested for the
raid ten women were arrested for the crime of prostitution over fifty men who
crime of prostitution over fifty men who
crime of prostitution over fifty men who paid to the to attend the sex party
paid to the to attend the sex party
paid to the to attend the sex party they weren’t arrested and while they
they weren’t arrested and while they
they weren’t arrested and while they went home to their wives and their
went home to their wives and their
went home to their wives and their families one by one those ten women they
families one by one those ten women they
families one by one those ten women they were paraded in front of the media
were paraded in front of the media
were paraded in front of the media cameras and the next day their arrest
cameras and the next day their arrest
cameras and the next day their arrest photographs were all over the local news
those ten women and hundreds of
those ten women and hundreds of thousands of women and girls in this
thousands of women and girls in this
thousands of women and girls in this country are prostituted in society views
country are prostituted in society views
country are prostituted in society views this choice to sell sex you know like
this choice to sell sex you know like
this choice to sell sex you know like they just they want to do it and you
they just they want to do it and you
they just they want to do it and you know it’s even fashionable right now
know it’s even fashionable right now
know it’s even fashionable right now that people who sell sex are considered
that people who sell sex are considered
that people who sell sex are considered to be empowered the reality is that you
to be empowered the reality is that you
to be empowered the reality is that you know we’ve convinced ourselves that this
know we’ve convinced ourselves that this
know we’ve convinced ourselves that this is work that they choose because it’s
is work that they choose because it’s
is work that they choose because it’s the best option they have or because
the best option they have or because
the best option they have or because it’s the best of a couple of different
it’s the best of a couple of different
it’s the best of a couple of different bad options but you know hey it’s there
bad options but you know hey it’s there
bad options but you know hey it’s there it’s their choice
it’s their choice
it’s their choice let’s talk about choice for a minute not
let’s talk about choice for a minute not
let’s talk about choice for a minute not the choices that we make every day like
the choices that we make every day like
the choices that we make every day like whether to have sweet potato or regular
whether to have sweet potato or regular
whether to have sweet potato or regular fries with our burger and not even the
fries with our burger and not even the
fries with our burger and not even the choices that might have some impact on
choices that might have some impact on
choices that might have some impact on our lives like which neighborhood to
our lives like which neighborhood to
our lives like which neighborhood to live in have you ever made a choice
live in have you ever made a choice
live in have you ever made a choice based on fear desperation or
based on fear desperation or
based on fear desperation or hopelessness the choice that those 10
hopelessness the choice that those 10
hopelessness the choice that those 10 women made to be sold for sex it’s often
women made to be sold for sex it’s often
women made to be sold for sex it’s often not made freely and that choice can lead
not made freely and that choice can lead
not made freely and that choice can lead to pain lasting trauma and even death
to pain lasting trauma and even death
to pain lasting trauma and even death and the choice to be prostituted is most
and the choice to be prostituted is most
and the choice to be prostituted is most often a choice between a couple of not
often a choice between a couple of not
often a choice between a couple of not great options like be prostituted or
great options like be prostituted or
great options like be prostituted or starve be prostituted or watched your
starve be prostituted or watched your
starve be prostituted or watched your kids starve be prostituted or live on
kids starve be prostituted or live on
kids starve be prostituted or live on the streets and research tells us that
the streets and research tells us that
the streets and research tells us that those in the sex trade even for just a
those in the sex trade even for just a
those in the sex trade even for just a few months suffer from deep and
few months suffer from deep and
few months suffer from deep and long-lasting trauma and those ten women
long-lasting trauma and those ten women
long-lasting trauma and those ten women at the sex party their lives in the sex
at the sex party their lives in the sex
at the sex party their lives in the sex trade most likely consisted of trauma
trade most likely consisted of trauma
trade most likely consisted of trauma heaped upon trauma in society considers
heaped upon trauma in society considers
heaped upon trauma in society considers that choice and the consequences that
that choice and the consequences that
that choice and the consequences that stem from that choice to be their sole
stem from that choice to be their sole
stem from that choice to be their sole burden why does the commercial sex trade
burden why does the commercial sex trade
burden why does the commercial sex trade and commercial sexual exploitation exist
and commercial sexual exploitation exist
and commercial sexual exploitation exist in this country
because the demand for commercial sex
because the demand for commercial sex exists if we target the buyers the
exists if we target the buyers the
exists if we target the buyers the supply will stop no buyers no business
remember the patrons inside the sex
remember the patrons inside the sex party over fifty men they were free to
party over fifty men they were free to
party over fifty men they were free to leave
leave
leave they weren’t named they never saw the
they weren’t named they never saw the
they weren’t named they never saw the media cameras and they weren’t arrested
media cameras and they weren’t arrested
media cameras and they weren’t arrested despite the fact that buying sex is a
despite the fact that buying sex is a
despite the fact that buying sex is a crime you all know that buying sex is a
crime you all know that buying sex is a
crime you all know that buying sex is a crime right
crime right
crime right let’s examine their choice to pay for
let’s examine their choice to pay for
let’s examine their choice to pay for sex because paying for sex is truly a
sex because paying for sex is truly a
sex because paying for sex is truly a free choice and the choice that they
free choice and the choice that they
free choice and the choice that they made and buyers make every time they pay
made and buyers make every time they pay
made and buyers make every time they pay for sex
for sex
for sex most likely didn’t have lasting negative
most likely didn’t have lasting negative
most likely didn’t have lasting negative consequences on their lives it didn’t
consequences on their lives it didn’t
consequences on their lives it didn’t violate their bodies it didn’t destroy
violate their bodies it didn’t destroy
violate their bodies it didn’t destroy their mental health but the impact that
their mental health but the impact that
their mental health but the impact that it has on prostituted persons it’s
it has on prostituted persons it’s
it has on prostituted persons it’s indescribable law enforcement has spent
indescribable law enforcement has spent
indescribable law enforcement has spent decades policing the sex industry by
decades policing the sex industry by
decades policing the sex industry by targeting those who are traumatized and
targeting those who are traumatized and
targeting those who are traumatized and hurt the victims those 10 women who are
hurt the victims those 10 women who are
hurt the victims those 10 women who are arrested the night in the mummer’s Club
arrested the night in the mummer’s Club
arrested the night in the mummer’s Club that’s that’s the norm
law enforcement focuses on arresting
law enforcement focuses on arresting those who’ve been victimized and
those who’ve been victimized and
those who’ve been victimized and traumatized well and treats them like
traumatized well and treats them like
traumatized well and treats them like criminals well the true offenders the
criminals well the true offenders the
criminals well the true offenders the ones who inflict the harm and deepen the
ones who inflict the harm and deepen the
ones who inflict the harm and deepen the trauma the traffickers the sex buyers
trauma the traffickers the sex buyers
trauma the traffickers the sex buyers they’re targeted to an extraordinarily
they’re targeted to an extraordinarily
they’re targeted to an extraordinarily lesser extent these law enforcement
lesser extent these law enforcement
lesser extent these law enforcement tactics have been used over and over
tactics have been used over and over
tactics have been used over and over with the goal of ending the illegal sex
with the goal of ending the illegal sex
with the goal of ending the illegal sex trade and guess what it hasn’t worked
trade and guess what it hasn’t worked
trade and guess what it hasn’t worked and it won’t work after witnessing all
and it won’t work after witnessing all
and it won’t work after witnessing all of these in Justice’s first hand as a
of these in Justice’s first hand as a
of these in Justice’s first hand as a prosecutor I quit my job and four years
prosecutor I quit my job and four years
prosecutor I quit my job and four years ago i co-founded the Institute to
ago i co-founded the Institute to
ago i co-founded the Institute to address commercial sexual exploitation
address commercial sexual exploitation
address commercial sexual exploitation at Villanova Law School the CSC
at Villanova Law School the CSC
at Villanova Law School the CSC Institute we trained lawyers to practice
Institute we trained lawyers to practice
Institute we trained lawyers to practice trauma-informed lawyering skills we
trauma-informed lawyering skills we
trauma-informed lawyering skills we teach law enforcement how to investigate
teach law enforcement how to investigate
teach law enforcement how to investigate and prosecute these cases we host a
and prosecute these cases we host a
and prosecute these cases we host a survivor symposium to give survivors a
survivor symposium to give survivors a
survivor symposium to give survivors a platform from which to speak and to have
platform from which to speak and to have
platform from which to speak and to have their voices heard we focus our work
their voices heard we focus our work
their voices heard we focus our work primarily in Pennsylvania but I really
primarily in Pennsylvania but I really
primarily in Pennsylvania but I really would like our efforts to be felt
would like our efforts to be felt
would like our efforts to be felt nationally but the problem in
nationally but the problem in
nationally but the problem in Pennsylvania is right in front of us
Pennsylvania is right in front of us
Pennsylvania is right in front of us so let’s start here in 2017 2017 alone
so let’s start here in 2017 2017 alone
so let’s start here in 2017 2017 alone there were 1443 arrests just arrests the
there were 1443 arrests just arrests the
there were 1443 arrests just arrests the tip of the iceberg for prostitution
tip of the iceberg for prostitution
tip of the iceberg for prostitution there were 447 arrests for mine sex
consider that if those 1443 people had
consider that if those 1443 people had at least five sex buyers a day on one
at least five sex buyers a day on one
at least five sex buyers a day on one day that means that a little more than
day that means that a little more than
day that means that a little more than 7,200 people got away with committing a
7,200 people got away with committing a
7,200 people got away with committing a crime and those 7,200 people would
crime and those 7,200 people would
crime and those 7,200 people would contribute to the pain and the trauma of
contribute to the pain and the trauma of
contribute to the pain and the trauma of one thousand four hundred and forty
one thousand four hundred and forty
one thousand four hundred and forty three people they would choose to do so
three people they would choose to do so
three people they would choose to do so and they would be culpable let’s let’s
and they would be culpable let’s let’s
and they would be culpable let’s let’s consider some national data on the sex
consider some national data on the sex
consider some national data on the sex industry there’s data collected by the
industry there’s data collected by the
industry there’s data collected by the National John suppression initiative
National John suppression initiative
National John suppression initiative it’s a law enforcement operation that
it’s a law enforcement operation that
it’s a law enforcement operation that aims to targets expires in an effort to
aims to targets expires in an effort to
aims to targets expires in an effort to end the demand for prostitution and
end the demand for prostitution and
end the demand for prostitution and their data has revealed something just
their data has revealed something just
their data has revealed something just fascinating men who buy sex are more
fascinating men who buy sex are more
fascinating men who buy sex are more often white educated employed married
often white educated employed married
often white educated employed married and middle-aged we all know someone who
and middle-aged we all know someone who
and middle-aged we all know someone who fits that description meanwhile their
fits that description meanwhile their
fits that description meanwhile their data also tells us that those who are
data also tells us that those who are
data also tells us that those who are exploited for sex are frequently
exploited for sex are frequently
exploited for sex are frequently teenagers uneducated homeless and
teenagers uneducated homeless and
teenagers uneducated homeless and experienced violence against them as
experienced violence against them as
experienced violence against them as children this makes me really
children this makes me really
children this makes me really uncomfortable
this should make all of us uncomfortable
this should make all of us uncomfortable those with more power and privilege are
those with more power and privilege are
those with more power and privilege are buying the bodies of those with far less
buying the bodies of those with far less
buying the bodies of those with far less power
think about where the choice lies there
think about where the choice lies there and it’s not with the prostituted person
and it’s not with the prostituted person
and it’s not with the prostituted person so breaking it down here’s what’s going
so breaking it down here’s what’s going
so breaking it down here’s what’s going on men who buy sex who choose to buy sex
on men who buy sex who choose to buy sex
on men who buy sex who choose to buy sex are inflicting pain and deepening
are inflicting pain and deepening
are inflicting pain and deepening pre-existing trauma on those who would
pre-existing trauma on those who would
pre-existing trauma on those who would not and do not freely choose to have
not and do not freely choose to have
not and do not freely choose to have that harm inflicted on that there is a
that harm inflicted on that there is a
that harm inflicted on that there is a movement both here and internationally
movement both here and internationally
movement both here and internationally to legalize the entire sex industry
to legalize the entire sex industry
to legalize the entire sex industry their arguments on aren’t based in
their arguments on aren’t based in
their arguments on aren’t based in reality but they go like this
reality but they go like this
reality but they go like this if prostitution were legal it would be
if prostitution were legal it would be
if prostitution were legal it would be safer to sell sex they could make a
safer to sell sex they could make a
safer to sell sex they could make a living the cops would be more likely to
living the cops would be more likely to
living the cops would be more likely to respond to their concerns such as rape
respond to their concerns such as rape
respond to their concerns such as rape these arguments don’t offer protection
these arguments don’t offer protection
these arguments don’t offer protection being able to call the police after
being able to call the police after
being able to call the police after being beaten it won’t stop them from
being beaten it won’t stop them from
being beaten it won’t stop them from being beaten in the first place the sex
being beaten in the first place the sex
being beaten in the first place the sex trade has been legalized around the
trade has been legalized around the
trade has been legalized around the world in Germany the Netherlands and
world in Germany the Netherlands and
world in Germany the Netherlands and parts of Australia and we know that in
parts of Australia and we know that in
parts of Australia and we know that in countries where it’s legal the violence
countries where it’s legal the violence
countries where it’s legal the violence against prostituted people doesn’t
against prostituted people doesn’t
against prostituted people doesn’t decline their PTSD doesn’t decline and
decline their PTSD doesn’t decline and
decline their PTSD doesn’t decline and sex trafficking actually increases we
sex trafficking actually increases we
sex trafficking actually increases we need to flip this script we need to
need to flip this script we need to
need to flip this script we need to redefine the way that we look at the
redefine the way that we look at the
redefine the way that we look at the commercial sex industry and the way that
commercial sex industry and the way that
commercial sex industry and the way that we look at choice and culpability
we look at choice and culpability
we look at choice and culpability because when we do
because when we do
because when we do it becomes abundantly clear that we’re
it becomes abundantly clear that we’re
it becomes abundantly clear that we’re not feast with the dichotomy of one
not feast with the dichotomy of one
not feast with the dichotomy of one person having choice and another person
person having choice and another person
person having choice and another person having culpability choice and
having culpability choice and
having culpability choice and culpability exist in the same person the
culpability exist in the same person the
culpability exist in the same person the sex buyer we should strive to follow the
sex buyer we should strive to follow the
sex buyer we should strive to follow the Nordic model or the Equality model the
Nordic model or the Equality model the
Nordic model or the Equality model the law that was first passed in Sweden it
law that was first passed in Sweden it
law that was first passed in Sweden it does exactly this it shifts the paradigm
does exactly this it shifts the paradigm
does exactly this it shifts the paradigm and focuses the stigma and the
and focuses the stigma and the
and focuses the stigma and the criminalization on those who buy sex and
criminalization on those who buy sex and
criminalization on those who buy sex and it recognizes that those who are sold
it recognizes that those who are sold
it recognizes that those who are sold for sex the ones experiencing the pain
for sex the ones experiencing the pain
for sex the ones experiencing the pain and the trauma that they deserve our
and the trauma that they deserve our
and the trauma that they deserve our help and services since 1999 when the
help and services since 1999 when the
help and services since 1999 when the law went into effect in Sweden we know
law went into effect in Sweden we know
law went into effect in Sweden we know that the results have been tremendous
that the results have been tremendous
that the results have been tremendous the number of prostituted persons went
the number of prostituted persons went
the number of prostituted persons went from three thousand to three hundred our
from three thousand to three hundred our
from three thousand to three hundred our system is broken but we can fix it we
system is broken but we can fix it we
system is broken but we can fix it we have a proven model to follow so here’s
have a proven model to follow so here’s
have a proven model to follow so here’s the reality this uncomfortable feeling
the reality this uncomfortable feeling
the reality this uncomfortable feeling that we all have it’s a good thing
that we all have it’s a good thing
that we all have it’s a good thing because we can do something about it
because we can do something about it
because we can do something about it become aware notice the problem pay
become aware notice the problem pay
become aware notice the problem pay attention to the words that you use
attention to the words that you use
attention to the words that you use gender-based violence starts early and
gender-based violence starts early and
gender-based violence starts early and prostitution is gender-based violence
prostitution is gender-based violence
prostitution is gender-based violence dear friends by sex does your boss when
dear friends by sex does your boss when
dear friends by sex does your boss when your buddy travels on business and you
your buddy travels on business and you
your buddy travels on business and you know that he buy sex and you don’t say
know that he buy sex and you don’t say
know that he buy sex and you don’t say anything you’re providing a silent
anything you’re providing a silent
anything you’re providing a silent endorsement what are we teaching our
endorsement what are we teaching our
endorsement what are we teaching our kids what behavior are we modeling speak
kids what behavior are we modeling speak
kids what behavior are we modeling speak up be the voice that can help the
up be the voice that can help the
up be the voice that can help the voiceless the ones with little choice
voiceless the ones with little choice
voiceless the ones with little choice and whose humanity is being discounted
and whose humanity is being discounted
and whose humanity is being discounted the ones who are we are hurting by the
the ones who are we are hurting by the
the ones who are we are hurting by the choices that we’re making it’s far
choices that we’re making it’s far
choices that we’re making it’s far easier to look away than to recognize
easier to look away than to recognize
easier to look away than to recognize that people with little power being sold
that people with little power being sold
that people with little power being sold for sex that you know even we just need
for sex that you know even we just need
for sex that you know even we just need to suggest that we stop telling
to suggest that we stop telling
to suggest that we stop telling ourselves that this isn’t a problem it
ourselves that this isn’t a problem it
ourselves that this isn’t a problem it doesn’t affect us or even worse that
doesn’t affect us or even worse that
doesn’t affect us or even worse that it’s not a problem at all because there
it’s not a problem at all because there
it’s not a problem at all because there aren’t any victims reject the lives
aren’t any victims reject the lives
aren’t any victims reject the lives commercial sexual exploitation it’s too
commercial sexual exploitation it’s too
commercial sexual exploitation it’s too prevalent it’s too traumatizing and it’s
prevalent it’s too traumatizing and it’s
prevalent it’s too traumatizing and it’s too tragic to look away choice is a
too tragic to look away choice is a
too tragic to look away choice is a powerful thing choice can open a door to
powerful thing choice can open a door to
powerful thing choice can open a door to freedom
freedom
freedom let’s choose to start talking about who
let’s choose to start talking about who
let’s choose to start talking about who buy sex and why they can choose to do so
buy sex and why they can choose to do so
buy sex and why they can choose to do so let’s choose to recognize that those who
let’s choose to recognize that those who
let’s choose to recognize that those who are being sold for sex need our help
let’s choose to effectuate change thank
let’s choose to effectuate change thank you
you
you [Applause]
[Music]
[Music] you
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