Sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) are driven by sex buying. If there were no buyers, there would be no business. And yet, even as the volume of sex buying across the country balloons, the harmful practice has traditionally been neglected in efforts to address sex trafficking. Val Richey will talk about a new approach in Washington dedicated to ending CSE by reducing sex buying in concert with improving victim services. The initiative, “Ending Exploitation Collaborative,” is a unique coalition of organizations including the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, social service agencies, advocacy organizations, and law enforcement. Audience members will learn how to develop a multi-disciplinary strategy for ending CSE that improves both victim services and accountability for exploiters. Val will also discuss some of the innovative tactics to reduce sex buying including high volume online deterrence, social media, community education, business engagement, media engagement, high school education, traditional law enforcement stings, and a ground-breaking 10-week sex buyer class.
