Speakers address human trafficking, human rights
Forum focused on violence against women
Breann Schossow
Issue date: 10/27/08 Section: News
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Juarbe and Pitre presented "Speaking the Truth about Sexual Violence, Prostitution, Immigration and Human Trafficking" to a nearly full audience at Davies Theatre on Oct. 23. The women's studies department and the Office of Multicultural Affairs sponsored the event.
Pitre said she was amazed and intimidated by the number of students and audience members who turned out for the event. But she said it made her feel good about the presentation.
"I was like wow ... I think that (audience size) says something about what's going on," Pitre said.
Juarbe and Pitre are victims advocates and have spent more than 19 and 15 years, respectively, working with domestic and sexual issues in government and non-profit organizations, according to a university press release.
Juarbe and Pitre focused on violence against women during the two-hour forum in relation to human rights, such as immigration, prostitution and physical and sexual violence. They also discussed the significant connection from pornography to human trafficking.
Senior Patrick Writz said the point about the negative effects of pornography in relation to human trafficking was a major part of the presentation for him. Writz is a member of a newly formed group on campus, the Human Trafficking Abolitionists. A project the group is focusing on is the negative effect of porn on members, their relationships and society, Writz said.
"We are all advocates and all have the ability to change the world for the better," he said.
Writz also spoke of the audience size for the forum, although he added that it was difficult to see people leave during the presentation, even if it was for class.
"I was excited right away when it was packed," Writz said.
Faculty member of women's studies Laurel Kieffer said she originally planned for the presenters to come to her WMNS 310 course, Women and Violence. However, after a suggestion from Christine Webster, program associate from the Office of Multicultural Affairs, it was decided to make the forum a campus-wide event.
"These issues are so important that we need to bring them to a bigger audience," Webster said.
Kieffer said she felt that awareness about the topic was important. She said that when people participate in parts of this issue such as pornography, many people do not think about the faces of the people or wonder if participation is a choice. She added that when people are raped or beaten, it is a form of bondage.
"Slavery is not that far away," she said.
Webster said that she felt people need to be aware about this topic and once they're aware, they have a choice to make as these issues impact many lives.
"My hope is, people will do something positive to change," Webster said.
Juarbe said she hopes students and people at the event will tell others about this issue and get informed.
"It's their responsibility to be aware of these issues," she said. "Oppression anywhere impacts any of us."
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