Media
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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)
- Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation Website
- Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation on Twitter
- Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation on Facebook
- Shared Hope International Blog
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 (5)
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.
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