Professor Kate Nace Day (Suffolk) was one of the organizers of the “Human Rights and Sex Trafficking” Film Forum, held last December in Cambridge, Massachusetts (previously blogged here and here).
A collaborative team — including Professor Day, practicing lawyers, law students, documentary filmmakers and non-profit activists — is continuing the Film Forum’s academy-meets-activism work. Team members are donating their time to make a short documentary film called A CIVIL REMEDY about justice for sex trafficking victims and survivors. Here is a description of the film:
Each year, an estimated 14,500 to 17,500 foreign nationals are trafficked into the United States and tens of thousands of Americans are trafficked within the country. Most are children and women who are trafficked for sex. They are victims of entrenched inequalities, systematic and systemic violence, and a global industry of shocking profitability – and, they are often treated as criminals.
In recent decades, passage of national and state trafficking laws has made it possible to prosecute some traffickers. Advocates continue to press for stronger laws that recognize the links between sex trafficking and prostitution, view victims as people needing help and services, and ensure that all the perpetrators – traffickers, pimps and “johns” – are held accountable.
Yet, in the shadow of law, traffickers and pimps are still committing brutal crimes on victims who have little or no recourse to justice.
A CIVIL REMEDY is a short documentary film about a vision of justice for sex trafficking victims. In early 2011, as Massachusetts moved towards passage of its first anti-trafficking legislation, a collaboration of women working in film and law – a law professor, practicing lawyers, law students, documentary filmmakers and non-profit activists – joined to create this film as an educational and advocacy tool to change the way sex trafficking victims are seen in society and treated in law.
Via fiscal partner Documentary Educational Resources, the filmmakers seek tax-deductible contributions to help complete production and change the way sex trafficking victims are seen in society and treated in law. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law and can be made via secure website here.
Separate and apart from the appeal for donations, please help spread the word about this amazing film and the good work of Professor Day and the team at Film and Law Productions.
For more info, see the collaborative’s Film and Law website here. The image above is from Stephen Alvarez, used by the filmmakers with permission.
-Bridget Crawford
