ADVOCATE - EDUCATOR - THERAPIST

Creating a safer world
for women and children.

 

The pervasiveness of violence against women and girls is epidemic, and society bears the burden.

Commercial sexual exploitation occurs when anything of value (i.e., money, drugs, shelter, food, clothes, etc.) is given in exchange for a sex act (i.e., intercourse, stripping, lap dancing, pole dancing, erotic massage, escort services, pornography, and prostitution). Poverty, family violence, neglect, academic failure, time in the foster care system, and a history of childhood sexual abuse create vulnerabilities for sexual exploitation.

 

Globally, 1 in four women will experience violence in her lifetime (WHO, 2022).

 

1 in six women in the United States will be raped (NIJ, 2006).

 

1 in 4 girls will experience sexual abuse before the age of 18 (CDC, 1998).

 

In the United States, 97% of trafficked individuals are women (CTDC, 2018).

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This is a series called “Prostitution &.” The series will highlight the complex and multifaceted phenomenon that is commercial sexual exploitation. To close this series, I will be discussing policy interventions necessary to protect individuals who are vulnerable to exploitation as well as the amazing resilience of survivors.

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This is a new series called “Prostitution &.” The series will highlight the complex and multifaceted phenomenon that is commercial sexual exploitation. Today, I will discuss the US’s history of criminalizing prostitution and how that continues to impact victims of prostitution today.

Together, we can work to eradicate exploitation.

 
 

Courtney Furlong, MS, MEd, CRC, ALC, is a native of Atlanta, GA and a graduate of Auburn University with a Master of Science in Human Development and Family Science and a Master of Education in Rehabilitation Counseling. Since 2005, Courtney has served thousands of victims of commercial sexual exploitation from all over the world. She is currently pursuing a PhD Human Development and Family Science. Courtney is passionate about research, creating space for healing, and preparing advocates to create systemic change throughout the world.

 

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30 JAN 2019 |

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JAN 16 2012 |

Global Challenges & Social Innovations TEDx

 

VIDEO

Accelerating the eradication of exploitation.