It’s happening here. And you can stop it.

From back alleys to Backpage.com, suburbs to cyber sites, human beings—especially women and girls—are bought and sold for sex. No matter the medium, there’s one constant—rampant demand.

Demand Abolition is eradicating the illegal commercial sex industry in the US—and, by extension, the world—by combating the demand for purchased sex. The most efficient approach to ending sexual exploitation is targeting sex buyers: when they stop buying, the entire system of degradation collapses.

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Arresting Demand: A National Colloquium

Posted by on May 10, 2012 in Events

MAY 3-4, 2012 | Westin Copley, Boston, Massachusetts

The colloquium brought together criminal justice professionals, survivors, nongovernment organization leaders, policymakers, researchers, philanthropists, corporate leaders, media outlets, and activists who are committed to eradicating sex trafficking by eliminating the demand for illegal commercial sex. We gathered in Boston to share emerging policies and practices, identify research gaps, inspire strategies for progress within the criminal justice system, and form collaborations with old and new allies. Workshops provided pragmatic, technical information on topics including:

  • Identifying innovative practices around law enforcement initiatives (e.g., reverse stings);
  • Drafting demand focused provisions for legislation;
  • Increasing prosecutions of buyers of illegal commercial sex;
  • Developing and funding first-offender programs for sex buyers;
  • Creating prevention education curricula;
  • Executing and financing successful public awareness campaigns; and
  • Harnessing media and social networking to transform the national dialogue around commercial sexual exploitation.

Voices of Change Video Series

This short video amplifies a collective voice calling for the elimination of the demand for purchased sex. Featuring collaborative messages from across sectors, this piece captures the essence of Arresting Demand: A National Colloquium 2012.

Survivors are expert leaders in the field, especially when it comes to ending demand. This video features survivor voices as they discuss the importance of holding buyers accountable and empowering those victimized through commercial sexual exploitation.

Downloads

Press Release: Demand Abolition Seeks to Abolish the Illegal Commercial Sex Industry in the United States by Eradicating the Demand for Purchased Sex

National Colloquium Agenda

Related Press Coverage

Newsweek: The John Next Door Newsweek: The John Next Door
A Demand Abolition study looks at the burgeoning demand for porn and prostitutes and its dark consequences.

Buying Sex? It Will Cost You. Buying Sex? It Will Cost You.
An op-ed by Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis and Ambassador Swanee Hunt warns buyers of sex in Massachusetts to think again.