Senator Chris Murphy will join Grace Farms Justice Initiative Director Krishna Patel and renowned legal expert Vincent Nappo for a discussion on human trafficking on both a national and local level. Patel will serve as moderator for “Freedom Fighters | The Battle against Modern Slavery,” which will take place in the Grace Farms Sanctuary on Friday evening, January 12. Senator Murphy has long supported efforts to combat human trafficking and provide rehabilitation for survivors in the United States and around the world. Senator Murphy continues to support legislation to reauthorize the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, the cornerstone of U.S. policy to prevent trafficking, prosecute traffickers, and provide critical services to victims.
Senator Murphy also cosponsored the End Modern Slavery Initiative Act last Congress. Provisions of the bill were ultimately signed into law, including authorization to fund a non-profit, grant-making foundation that will work with foreign governments and the private sector to implement best practices that eliminate slavery and human trafficking worldwide.”
Nacole S. is a passionate advocate for child sexual exploitation survivors and their families. Her daughter’s harrowing story is part of the documentary film, I am Jane Doe. Nacole testified for the Washington State Senate in 2012 to help pass a dozen laws, which range from enhancing sentencing for traffickers and buyers to helping survivors have their charge of prostitution vacated. Nacole participated in two documentary films that bring awareness of the issue of child sex trafficking, I am Jane Doe by Mary Mazzio and The Long Night by Tim Matsui. Nacole has also testified for the U.S. Senate on how websites like Backpage.com profit financially from the sale of children.
Vincent Nappo is a partner at the law firm Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala, PLLC, in Seattle, WA. Vincent devotes the bulk of his legal practice to representing survivors of childhood sexual abuse in civil lawsuits against abusers and corporate entities who facilitate abuse. In recent years, Vincent has expanded his practice to represent survivors of human sex trafficking nationwide, including children trafficked on the Backpage.com website. Vincent served as co-counsel in the matter J.S., et al. v. Village Voice Media LLC, et al., based in Washington State that led to the only appellate decision in the country (so far) to allow minor trafficking victims to proceed to discovery against Backpage.com.
Immediately following the discussion, the public is invited to attend a film screening of a “gripping legal thriller” (Esquire) that chronicles the epic battle that several American mothers are waging on behalf of their middleschool daughters, victims of sex-trafficking on Backpage.com, the adult classifieds site that for years was part of the Village Voice. Reminiscent of Erin Brockovich and Karen Silkwood, these mothers have stood up on behalf of thousands of others, fighting back and refusing to take no for an answer. It is a gut-wrenching human story and fresh look at a social and legal issue that affects every community in America. I Am Jane Doe has helped to catalyze legislation filed recently in the House and Senate.
The film is narrated by Academy-Award Nominee Jessica Chastain and directed by award-winning director Mary Mazzio. It is produced by Mary Mazzio and Academy-Award Nominee Alec Sokolow. Both the discussion and the film are free and open to the public. The discussion will begin at 6:00pm and the film will be shown immediately afterward from 7:00 – 8:30pm.
