“Human Rights and Sex Trafficking” Film Forum, Cambridge (Mass.) December 2-5, 2010

The Boston Initiative to Advance Human Rights will sponsor a “Human Rights and Sex Trafficking Film Forum” from December 2-5, 2010 at the Brattle Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  Over three days, there will be at least 7 documentaries, 4 short films; a variety of speakers including trafficking survivors, lawmakers, and activists; audience events and opportunities to meet all of the filmmakers.

The Film Forum is the academy-meets-activism brainchild of Feminist Law Prof Kate Nace Day (Suffolk) and BITAHR Founder and Executive Director Alicia Foley Winn.  They are co-teaching a seminar at Suffolk Law School on “Sex Trafficking in Film and Law.”

The Film Forum is taking on a life of its own as a national and international event.  On the first night, Tony Award-winning actor Sarah Jones will perform.  Other participants in the forum will include:

Anuradha Koirala (photo at right), Founder of Maiti Nepal (and one of CNN’s Ten Heroes of 2010).  Ms. Koirala has created a social services structure  for rescuing and rehabilitating Nepali girls who have been sold into the brothels of India.

Ms. Ruchira Gupta, one of India’s leading women’s rights fighter, leading the challenge to India’s sex trade under principles of equality.

Ms. Rachel Lloyd, a trafficking survivor who has established GEMS (Girls Educational and Mentoring Services), the only residential rehabilitation center for minor girls trying to escape the commercial sex trade.

If you happen to be in the Boston area, mark the Film Forum on your calendar.  More information is available on the Forum’s webpage (here).

-Bridget Crawford