By Danielle Taylor and Victoria Barker
The Carter Center’s Mobilizing Action for Women and Girls Initiative
Atlanta is abuzz this month with major events focused on ending sexual exploitation. With Atlanta ranking near the top of the list of cities with the highest incidences of human trafficking, it is encouraging to see local activists leading the charge to address this issue.
On May 11 and 12, The Carter Center and Rotarians Against Child Slavery will host the World Summit: End Sexual Exploitation 2025 at the Carter Center’s headquarters. This event will bring together global anti-human trafficking groups and government agencies, pornography researchers and prostitution abolitionists to develop a ten-year action plan for collaboratively ending the sexual exploitation industry. Legal professionals and law enforcement officials will discuss the progress of different policy models from around the world and will focus on creating effective laws at the state and federal levels. Business leaders will focus on the economic factors that fuel and sustain trafficking and how they can engage the private sector in disrupting this criminal enterprise. Social justice leaders share insights on successful prevention tactics and the importance of survivors’ services. The World Summit will conclude in Centennial Olympic Park with a candlelight vigil and musical performance by Kevin Rowe, an Atlanta-based musician who has used his talent to raise awareness about human trafficking. For more information on the World Summit and concert, visit the event website.
Peter Buffett (son of Warren Buffett), another musician mobilizing action to end violence against girls and women through his art and influence, is headlining a concert and conversation on Saturday, May 9 at the High Museum of Art. This event is hosted by Social Karma, an organization who’s goal is to “use this event as a platform to mobilize the power, resources, and leadership of Metro Atlanta social justice and business community to end human trafficking in our region”. For more information, visit the event website.
Finally, from May 22 until July 22, the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Crews, Delta Airlines, and the International Human Trafficking Institute will be hosting “Freedom Expressions ATL”. This visual art installation is made up of over 50 works of student art centered on the issue of human trafficking. The exhibition is located in the atrium and on Concourse E at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed will host the opening of the exhibition on May 22 at 11 a.m. For more information visit the event website.
The Forum on Women, Religion, Violence & Power 