University of Kentucky Rosenberg College of Law
Kentucky Law Journal Volume 109 Symposium: Sex Trafficking and Opioids
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021
DESCRIPTION
Our nation is experiencing a meteoric rise in opioid overdose. The sheer power of opioid dependency has left few untouched and many devastated in its wake. Inextricably intertwined with opioid dependency is an equally epidemic rise in sex trafficking. Like no other point in its 5,000-year history, sex trafficking is on a sharp upsurge: The internet has expanded the insatiable demand for vulnerable human flesh. As the internet increases the scope of the flesh trade, opioid addiction adds to its sting. Millions are feeding their dependency through the selling of flesh.
Sex trafficking exists conterminously with drug dependency because vulnerability is the lynchpin of exploitation. This conference, the first of its kind, will examine the converging and rising tides of sex trafficking and opioid addiction. This conference has three aims: Awareness, Advocacy, and Activism. Using panels of experts who have first-hand experience with the intertwined effects of sex trafficking and opioid addiction, this conference will increase public awareness of the converging forces of dependency and vulnerability. Another panel of advocates will address how the legal process can intervene in the demand for human flesh. Finally, activists will critique the current problems in the criminal justice system’s attempt to ameliorate the intertwined problem of drug dependency and sex trafficking through mass incarceration.
Symposium Recordings
The View from the Department of Justice
Activism Panel & Closing Remarks
Speaker Bios and Pictures
SPEAKERS
8:30: Opening Remarks
Introduction from Erica Ashton, Editor-in-Chief, Kentucky Law Journal
Mary Davis, Dean of the Rosenberg College of Law
Andy Beshear, Governor of Kentucky
Judge Eric L. Clay, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
Introduction from Kenneth Trotter, Jr., UK Law Student
9:00: Opening Speaker
Sean Tepfer, National Program Manager, Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, Department of Justice
Introduction from Kelly Daniel, Staff Editor, Kentucky Law Journal
10:00: Meet the Survivors Panel
Moderated by Layne K McDuffie, UK Law Student
Dr. Azurdee Garland, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Programming, Phoenix Rising, Inc.
Maira Gomez, UK Law Student and Phoenix Rising, Inc. Volunteer
Ben VanBarr, Law Clerk at Weitz & Luxenberg
April Doss, Recovery Coach Specialist, Human Trafficking/Domestic Violence Advocate, Peer Leader at Alternatives for Girls
11:00: The View from the Department of Justice
Moderated by Rashmi Khatiwada, UK Law Student
Hydee Hawkins, Assistant United States Attorney, United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky
Cassie Young, FBI Victim Specialist
John Whitehead, FBI Special Agent
Kelley Hoover, ATF Special Agent
Jenny Parker, Victim Witness Coordinator, United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky
Erin Roth, Assistant United States Attorney, United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky
Seth Fraizer, Human Trafficking Detective, Lexington Police Department
Matthew Grady, Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit Attorney, Department of Justice
12:30: Keynote Speaker
Shea M. Rhodes, Co-Founder & Director of the Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation, Villanova Law
Introduction from M. Elizabeth Goss, Kentucky Law Journal Staff Editor
1:00 - Awareness Panel, Part I
Moderated by Chase Thomas, UK Law Student
Vanessa Bouche, Associate Professor of Political Science, Texas Christian University
Maddie Bailey, Associate Attorney, Husch Blackwell, LLP
Isy India Thusi, Professor, Widener University Delaware School of Law
Shelly Cavalieri, Professor, University of Toledo College of Law
2:45 - Awareness Panel, Part II
Moderated by Kendra Craft, Staff Editor, Kentucky Law Journal
Richard Ausness, Professor, Rosenberg College of Law
Christine Raino, Senior Director of Public Policy, Shared Hope, International
Jenn Brinkley, Professor, University of West Florida
Dr. Lauren Brinkley-Rubinstein, Professor, UNC Chapel Hill
Jennifer Cole, Professor, University of Kentucky
Serena Kaul, Graduate Student, University of Cincinnati
4:00 - Advocacy Panel
Moderated by Kaci Christopher, Staff Editor, Kentucky Law Journal
Barbara Maines Whaley, Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Kentucky Attorney General
Kelly Carter, Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Michigan Attorney General
Brittany Scordo, Director of Victim Services, Office of the Fayette Commonwealth’s Attorney
Jenna Cassady, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, Fayette Commonwealth’s Attorney Office
5:30 - Activism Panel
Moderated by Raleigh Dixon, UK Law Student
Margie Quin, End Slavery Now
Mikaela Pflueger, UK Law Student
Tiana The, Graduate Student, University of Kentucky
Gretchen Hunt, Human Trafficking Consultant
Heather Wagers, Executive Director of the Office of Trafficking and Abuse Prevention and Prosecution (TAPP), Office of the Kentucky Attorney General
6:45 - Closing Remarks
Kami Griffith, Special Features Editor, Kentucky Law Journal