On Saturday, September 20, nearly 150 TJSL students and community members attended the Sex Trafficking Summit. The Event was sponsored by the Center for Global Legal Studies, the International Law Society/Amnesty International Student Group, and Voices of Women. Anne Hoiberg from Voices of Women moderated the panels, which focused on the international and domestic implications of sex trafficking.

Professor Susan Tiefenbrun

Professor Susan Tiefenbrun introduced the audience to the concept and magnitude of global sex trafficking, as well as the international laws that were created to combat it. Marisa Ugarte, Executive Director of the Bilateral Safety Corridor Coalition, spoke about her organization's work with and advocacy for victims of sex trafficking in the San Diego region. Lilia Velazquez, a prominent local immigration attorney, then spoke about the legal issues surrounding the arrest and prosecution of traffickers, as well as the protection offered to victims for helping to prosecute their traffickers.

After a brief question and answer session with the first panel, attorney Chris Tenorio, from the Department of Justice, spoke about the federal investigation and prosecution of traffickers in the United States and the increased resources that the federal and state governments are using to combat this crime. Officer Lynda Oberlies, from the Vice Unit of the San Diego Police Department, then gave a very informative presentation about the culture of prostitution and trafficking in San Diego.

Adjunct Professor Christie Edwards gave the final lecture about sex trafficking

Adjunct Professor Christie Edwards

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