Shea Rhodes, JD

Director, Villanova Law Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation | Charles Widger School of Law | Villanova University

Villanova, PA, UNITED STATES

Shea Rhodes' expertise involves supporting survivors of human trafficking by fighting for prosecution of the purchaser of sex.

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Areas of Expertise (4)

Human Trafficking

Prostitution

Commercial Sexual Exploitation

Criminal Law

Biography

Shea M. Rhodes, Esq., Director and Co-Founder of the CSE Institute, has been working with survivors of sexual violence,commercial sexual exploitation, prostitution and human trafficking for over twenty years. Ms. Rhodes is a member of several anti-trafficking initiatives, locally and internationally. She served as an Assistant District Attorney for the City of Philadelphia from 2003-2012, during which she co-created a nationally recognized prostitution criminal diversion program, the Project Dawn Court.

Education (2)

Villanova Law School: JD

University of Kansas: BA

Select Accomplishments (6)

2017 Freedom Fighter Award

The Valley Against Sex Trafficking

2015 Volunteer Award

Philadelphia Coalition for Victim Advocacy

2014 Pro Bono Publico Award

First Judicial District

2013 Unsung Heroine Award

Women's Way

2008 Crime Prevention Award

Center City District of Philadelphia

2003 Distinguished Advocate Award Recipient

Support Center for Child Advocates

Links (4)

Affiliations (5)

World Without Exploitation - Steering Committee Member
Shared Hope International JuST Council - Member
Dawn's Place - Board of Directors
Project Dawn Court - Oversight Committee Member
C.H.E.E.R.S. Program - Human Trafficking Youth Workshop Instructor

Select Media Appearances (10)

I’m a Former Assistant DA who Works with Survivors of Sex Trafficking − Here’s why a Recent Philly Sting Marks a Shift in how Pennsylvania Confronts the Commercial Sex Industry

The Conversation online

2024-12-17

"I’d argue that Henry used Pennsylvania’s human trafficking statute as the legislature intended it to be used – to target all sectors that make money from trafficking, facilitate the trafficking organization and drive the market for it to exist in the first place. That is precisely what makes this investigation unique. Law enforcement targeted all levels of the supply chain for commercial sex, uprooting the alleged trafficking ring from top to bottom."

What’s Next in the Federal Investigation into Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and his Alleged Co-Conspirators

CNN online

2024-09-20

It will be difficult for victims to come forward in this case, particularly given the allegations of violence for those who sought to speak out in the past, according to Rhodes. “It’s shame and fear of whether or not you’re going to be believed. (Also) if these allegations about how he had just really engaged his entire organization in covering up what was going on, who is not behind bars that can carry out additional intimidation tactics or instill additional fear in survivors who do want to come forward?” she said.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Indictment, Charges on Sex Trafficking, Racketeering Broken Down

The Washington Post print

2024-09-17

“The way that he operated this business is textbook,” said Shea Rhodes, director of Villanova University’s Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation. “We’re talking about pimp-controlled prostitution and scaling that up to an enterprise organization that is really well-funded.”

Want to Eradicate the Sex Trade in Kensington, Mayor Parker? Arrest the People Buying Sex (Op-Ed)

Philadelphia Inquirer print

2024-06-18

People in prostitution should not be arrested or charged with prostitution offenses. The practice of prosecuting people in prostitution perpetuates a harmful ideology that they are criminals, rather than people who are being exploited. Traffickers and sex buyers perpetuate sexual exploitation and keep the commercial sex trade alive. Police should arrest them instead.

There’s No Evidence Sex Traffickers Use Tactics in Viral Warnings to Target Victims

Verify online

2023-11-07

The warnings shared on social media have not been linked to actual missing persons or abduction cases, Shea Rhodes, co-founder and director of the Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE Institute) at Villanova University’s School of Law, said. “I think that if these sort of warning signs had any credibility to them, we would be hearing from the leaders with the Department of Justice,” Rhodes said. “...You can’t trace [the warnings] back to something based in fact.”

The Florida spa raids were aimed at men, but women paid a far steeper price

The Boston Globe

2019-10-06

“We were really hopeful that this would send a message to society at large,” said Shea Rhodes, a former prosecutor in Philadelphia who now leads the Villanova Law Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation, noting that “sex buyers have consistently gotten away with committing a crime.”

Judge to rule on bail for Epstein

CTV News - Canada

2019-07-22

Shea Rhodes, Director of the Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE Institute) at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law addresses the case of Jeffrey Epstein, who is awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges.

Robert Kraft's plea deal offer for prostitution charges hinders real progress on sex trafficking

USA Today online

2019-03-21

As a society, we must face the reality that buying sex is far from a “victimless crime,” and that validating arguments to the contrary has dangerous ramifications. Op-ed co-written by Shea M. Rhodes, director and co-founder of the Villanova Law Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation.

Advocate For Sex Trade Victims Reacts To New Bail Policy

KYW Newsradio

2018-02-22

Philadelphia's top prosecutor will no longer seek jail time before conviction for those charged with what he says are low-level offenses, including prostitution. But advocates for victims who are sex-trafficked say those offenses should be looked at, carefully … “It is a violent and vicious industry,” said Shea Rhodes, Director of Villanova’s Law Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation.

Bill to fight online sex-trafficking seen poised to advance in U.S. Senate

Reuters

2017-11-06

Legislation in the U.S. Senate to crack down on websites accused of promoting sex trafficking won praise on Monday from experts and activists who said the measure was poised to move forward … Their deal will allow lawsuits against Backpage.com and others to proceed, said Shea Rhodes, director of Pennsylvania’s Villanova Law Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation.