The Women's Freedom Network Newsletter Sept/Oct and Nov/Dec, 1999, Vol. 6, Number 5 & 6. Women's Freedom Network First National Conference on Sexual Trafficking National Press Club, Washington D.C. November 8 & 9, 1999 by Claire Morgan

We devote this double-issue to selected highlights of the proceedings of WFN's recent conference on sexual trafficking. As readers of this newsletter are aware, over the last several months, WFN President Rita Simon and Michael Horowitz, have joined forces to promote public awareness and to promote political action to combat this most inhumane of practices.

Michael Horowitz gave the keynote speech, detailing the legislation currently before Congress which proposes to withhold US aid to countries that permit sexual trafficking to continue. We shall keep readers apprised of the progress of that legislation.

During the first panel on research, Laura Lederer, Director of the Protection Project at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government described her organization's efforts to collect and document data on national laws against trafficking. Carol Smolenski, coordinator of against ECPAT-USA, an organization that is working to end prostitution, pornography, and trafficking in children, outlined her continuing efforts. Andrea Bertone, a Ph.D. student at the University of Maryland, discussed the connection between the international political economy and trafficking.

The second panel focused on victims of sexual trafficking, which included poignant testimony from "Inez," a victim of sexual trafficking. This was followed by Nora Demleitner, a visiting professor at the University of Michigan, who spoke about the kinds of support provided to victims, together with the need for further resources and support, particularly With respect to immigration status.

During lunch, Maureen Walsh, counsel to the Helsinki Commission, spoke on behalf of Congressman Christopher H. Smith. Ms. Walsh provided a detailed overview of various international resolutions that have been undertaken under the auspices of the Helsinki Commission.

To discuss the problems associated with law enforcement and legislation, the third panel brought together Gary Haugen, President of the International Justice Mission, David Fagelson, Professor at the School of Public Affairs at American University, and Robert Flores, Vice-President of the National Law Center for Children and Families. Each noted various problems associated with enforcement including, in some countries, the lack of an institutional framework necessary for the proper functioning of legal reforms.

A panel on human rights focused in part on the role of religion and religious leaders in helping it) raise awareness and to end the practice of sexual trafficking. Bin Greenberg, an author on Jewish law and women's rights and Rabbi David Saperstein both called on religious leaders to help promote awareness and action. Carol Smolenski from ECPAT spoke about the travel industry's complicity in occasionally promoting, but more often in failing to help to prevent the trafficking and prostitution of children. Finally, Marco Gramegna, a representative from the International Organization for Migration, presented the international governmental perspective on sexual trafficking.

A comprehensive collection of the proceedings will appear in a volume next year.