Trigger Warning: This episode discusses sexual violence and human trafficking. 

Learn from Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor Ashley Judd as she shares how her experiences being exploited as a child have taught her that “it is [her] birthright to heal.” She is joined by Catherine Chen, CEO of Polaris, the organization working to end sex and labor trafficking, for which Ashley is the spokesperson and activist. This is a solution-forward dialogue that helps to better understand the causes, systemic factors, and opportunities to improve this large issue, which is too often invisible. 

In this episode:

• What constitutes sex and labor exploitation
• How men play a role and can take action to prevent trafficking 
• How pornography contributes to the continuation of harmful behaviors
• How traffickers use coercion and grooming to lure people in 
• The urgent need for societal and economic reforms to effectively fight these crimes

This is a personal, riveting and inspiring conversation that informs and provides hope, despite the heavy topics. We all have a responsibility to open our eyes to how we might be unknowingly upholding or allowing vulnerable people to become victims of trafficking. If you see yourself in any of the situations that we discussed today, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text BeFree (233733). 

Timecodes:

(00:00) Episode Begins 

(06:55) When is the last time you didn’t feel enough 

(08:27) Healing is Ashley’s mandate 

(14:45) Culture of pornification 

(21:33) Human trafficking definition 

(25:20) Who buys sex 

(31:24) Tangible action to take to end trafficking 

(44:31) What to do if you are being trafficked 

(56:10) What grooming can look like 

(1:03:18) The importance of universal basic income & other policies 

(1:16:16) What does it mean to be Man Enough

QUOTES:

"It is my birthright to heal. I am healing. I was born to heal. Healing is my mandate. I am healing right now" - Ashley Judd

"Trafficking happens because our systems are broken. We start with the fundamental, which is we don't have enough economic equity, we don't have enough basic income equity in the United States." - Catherine Chen

ABOUT ASHLEY JUDD

Ashley Judd, is a celebrated actress and a passionate advocate for social justice and women's rights. Ashley has journeyed to over 22 countries, engaging directly with communities to fight gender inequality and male sexual violence. Her experiences are vividly captured in her New York Times bestselling memoir, "All That Is Bitter & Sweet." Her TED Talk on online misogyny has garnered over two million views. Ashley was Time magazine’s Person of the Year in 2017 as one of the Silence Breakers. In 2019, the United Nations honored her as Global Advocate of the Year.

ABOUT CATHERINE CHEN

Catherine Chen is the CEO of Polaris, an organization at the forefront of the fight against sex and labor trafficking in the United States. For more than twenty years she has led significant initiatives, including raising awareness about migrant workers in Qatar and launching the Partnership for Freedom with President Obama. Her work has influenced policy change and fostered innovative approaches to combating trafficking.

CONNECT WITH ASHELY JUDD:  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley_judd

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Ashley_Judd

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AshleyJuddOfficial

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ashleyjudd?lang=en

CONNECT WITH POLARIS

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/polarisproject/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/polarisproject1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/polarisproject

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/polaris_project 

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