US: Congressional Briefing on Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking, March 16

There will be a briefing on the sex trafficking of minors in the U.S with a special introduction by acclaimed actor Mira Sorvino. This form of modern day slavery is one of the fastest growing crimes in the U.S. Over 100,000 children are trafficked for sex in the U.S. each year, according to recent estimates.

To learn more about this tragic problem, please come to the briefing at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 (the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee hearing room.)

Briefing agenda:

Mira Sorvino: Welcome and introduction

Senators Ron Wyden and John Cornyn: comments on the re-introduction of the Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act

Libby Spears, filmmaker - Director of the documentary film "Playground": brief commentary and viewing of the trailer for "Playground"

Panel of speakers:

Dr. Sharon Cooper, Forensic Pediatrician, University of North Carolina School of Medicine

Sgt. Doug Justus, Portland Police Bureau (ret.), former head of the Portland Police Department vice unit

Natasha, a Victims' Rights Advocate and sex trafficking survivor

Ernie Allen, President and CEO, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)