On September 16, 2015, the CSE Institute hosted its official launch event at the Villanova University School of Law with a reception and awards ceremony. Over 100 guests were in attendance to celebrate the CSE Institute including judges, state and federal prosecutors, public defenders, alumni, faculty members, students, and survivors.
We would like to thank Honorary Chairwoman Marian Moskowitz for all of her support and generosity. Our keynote speaker, Malika Saada Saar, a human rights attorney and the Executive Director of Rights4Girls, inspired all of and called upon everyone to continue to fight against commercial sexual exploitation – recounting eye-opening stories of the victims and survivors she has met during her career. CSE Institute Board of Advisor member, Mary DeFusco, Esq, of the Defender Association of Philadelphia presented our inaugural “Justice Done” award to Sister Terry Shields, MSHR a founder of Dawn’s Place (a shelter for women in transition from exiting the life) for her selfless charity in assisting victims and survivors of commercial sexual exploitation.
CSE Institute Director, Shea Rhodes, Esq. and CSE Institute Faculty Advisor, Michelle Madden Dempsey, Esq. – along with our current and former externs – wish to express our continued gratitude to all who have helped in the creation and launch of the CSE Institute at Villanova Law. Read the media coverage.
