Shot in Spain, Nepal, Mexico and the U.S., “Sands of Silence” explores the spectrum of sexual violence—from sex trafficking, to child molestation, to trusted adults sexualizing the young people in their care. journalist and filmmaker Chelo Avarez-Stehle delves into the devastating and long-lasting impact of this violence, showing how childhood experiences of abuse make women vulnerable to future violence, and the ways girls and women are silenced or encouraged to deny the impact of this violence.
Tag: Sex Trafficking
Beyond the Breakthrough: The Necessity of Survivor Leadership
We don’t have to look far to see examples of ineffective action or harm—from policy based on an oversimplified understanding to organizations that claim to “rescue” and “save” those they are helping. To create a thriving movement for social change, those with lived experience need to be leading at every level.
Beyond the Breakthrough: Establishing Safe Harbors for Everyone
In over 30 states, a young person under age 18 cannot be arrested for prostitution—replacing a punitive juvenile justice response with one informed by prevention, supportive victim services and child welfare. Many youth benefit from assistance that addresses their trauma by building upon their strengths and resiliency. But then they turn 18.
Standing Guard to Stop Trafficking: Inside the Asservo Project
Asservo, derived from the Latin verb meaning “watch over or guard,” is an apt name for the project, which seeks to combat human trafficking and sexual predators, support the recovery of victims and aid in the imprisonment of perpetrators.
Will the Justice System Finally #MuteRKelly?
R. Kelly was arrested in Chicago under a 13-count indictment on Thursday on new charges including child pornography, enticement of a minor and obstruction of justice. Today, prosecutors in Brooklyn […]
What the Epstein Case Means for the Fight to End Sex Trafficking
Years of hard work by feminist survivors and the #MeToo awakening have shifted public consciousness about who’s to blame for youth involvement in the sex trade and given survivors courage to speak out about sexual abuse and hold perpetrators accountable.
Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta Must Step Down
“What matters is not when a powerful official helped a powerful predator. What matters is THAT a powerful official helped a powerful predator. That official deserves to be demoted for his hurtful choices.”
Family Violence is Fueling the Trafficking of Yorùbá Girls in Nigeria
We often think poverty is what makes girls vulnerable to sex trafficking, but new research suggests another set of related factors may play a significant role: family dysfunction, domestic violence and abuse.
Time’s Up for Sexually Abusive Ob-Gyns: ‘Robert Hadden Was a Predator in a White Coat’
On Jan. 24, 2023, Robert Hadden was found guilty of sex trafficking. Prosecutors were seeking federal charges, arguing Hadden enticed women to cross state lines so he could sexually abuse them.
I know how it feels to realize that a doctor sexually abuse. Hadden assaulted me on at least two occasions, including when I was pregnant.