Arlene and I returned from the US on Friday 13 April where we participated in the informative and inspiring “End Sexual Exploitation Global Summit 2018” in Washington DC.
We arrived in the US on 4 April. After 24 hours of flying, I stepped off the plane and went straight into two consecutive meetings that tackled the global sexual rights agenda and the pornography plague. In between that, I recorded two TV interviews, one for a Canadian documentary on the harms of pornography and the other for the “National Centre On Sexual Exploitation.”
The Summit itself was inspiring but sobering. Presentations from various experts on the seamless connections between all forms of sexual exploitation were of a particular high standard.
I participated in an international panel that spoke about the highlights & challenges of global activism. I also joined a private meeting of international experts on the abolition of prostitution.
I was privileged to finally meet Dr Melissa Farley, a clinical and research psychologist that I quoted numerous times in several documents and submissions on the harms of prostitution.
Dr Farley is keen to come to South Africa to help us combat decriminalised prostitution.
A major highlight of the Summit was the announcement that the “backpage.com” website – that facilitated online sex trafficking – was shut down by the US Department of Justice.
This followed the recent enactment of the FOSTA-SESTA Bill in the US Congress. President Donald Trump signed the Bill into law at the White House while we were in Washington DC.
The host of the Global Summit, the “National Centre On Sexual Exploitation” (NCOSE) and its allies were instrumental in getting this vital legislation passed by the Unites States Congress.
These major victories against sexual exploitation in the US have motivated me to work more strategically within the CESESA network to escalate the battle against sexploitation in South Africa.
Following the Summit, I met with Tony Perkins, the President of Family Research Council in Washington DC. We discussed several strategic initiatives to advance the pro-family agenda in SA.
I had to reschedule my meeting with Rick Scarborough of Vision America for a later Skype chat because he was called out of Washington DC for a Pastors briefing in South Carolina.
Overall, our trip to the US was a great success. We achieved more than we expected. Arlene and I thank God for His blessings and for your prayers and partnership in this vital ministry.
Written by: Errol Naidoo
Article source: familypolicyinstitute.com
