This past week was the 2024 Coalition to End Sexual Exploitation (CESE) Global Summit! Co-hosted by the National Center on Sexual Exploitation and the PHASE Alliance, the CESE Summit brought together over 600 movement leaders and advocates from 15 countries to discuss “The Great Collision: Emerging Tech, Sexual Exploitation, and the Ongoing Pursuit of Dignity.” The energy was palpable as we convened in-person for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year’s Summit focused on the intersection between Emerging Tech and Sexual Exploitation. With rapid developments in AI ushering in a technological revolution of epic proportions, it is imperative that we proactively steer and shape this revolution.
Emerging tech can be used to multiply the threat of sexual exploitation beyond all imagination … OR it can be used to put an end to it.
The Summit was where survivors, technologists, advocates, academics, government officials, and all other stakeholders converged to strategize for a future where tech is used for GOOD.
Tech for Good Showcase
At the CESE Summit, we heard from numerous tech innovators who have built powerful new tools to combat sexual exploitation. The flames of hope were fanned into a bonfire as we saw how they used their intelligence, expertise, and benevolence to pave the way toward a better future.
To name just a few of the impressive leaders in this space:
- AngelKids.ai allows children to safely explore the Internet, while only seeing age-appropriate content. The AI translates search results into kid-friendly responses.
- Hawkeye connects law enforcement with advanced investigative tools that delve deep into the darkweb, making cybercrime investigations easier and more effective.
- RSCU Mobile provides mobile services that generate revenue for fighting sex trafficking.
- DejaVuAI is a revolutionary image-recognition technology that will considerably increase the accuracy and scalability of efforts to remove abusive images.
- Gamesafe.ai uses artificial intelligence to flag and alert parents of suspicious chats within games.
- Delevit provides a more efficient and easier way to remove abusive content, reducing the process to a matter of seconds.
- Troomi Wireless, Bark, Gabb, and Cyber Drive create phones that are designed with children in mind and automatically give parents the tools to monitor and keep their kids safe online.
And so many more!
Survivors Raise their Voices as Experts
One theme of this event stood out loud and clear: Survivors are the experts!
At the CESE Summit we were honored and grateful to hear from numerous survivors as they detailed the problem and called for solutions, with the clarity and keen insight that only lived experience can provide. More than 100 survivors were in attendance, more than 30 were speakers, and we gave scholarships to over 60 survivors.
“The people closest to the problem are closest to the solution.” ~Kristin Vaughn
"The people closest to the problem are closest to the solution." ~Kristin Vaughn, Survivor Leader Share on X“I’m tired of being a survivor. I’m an expert.” ~Karola de la Cuesta
“It can get better, but only if we listen to the people who experienced it firsthand.” ~Ava Smithing, Young People’s Alliance
Those Who Did Not Survive…
Tragically, we were also informed by those who did not survive their exploitation. Too many children have died as a result of Big Tech prioritizing profits over people. Too many people sucked into the claws of the prostitution and pornography industry did not make it out alive.
We fight in their name as well.
Highlighted Speakers and Remarks
We were privileged to be able to learn from and with so many leaders, experts, and change-makers in the anti-sexual exploitation movement. Presenters and panelists included Reem Alsalem, UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Children; Elizabeth Smart, Survivor Leader and Co-Founder of the PHASE Alliance; Facebook Whistleblowers Frances Haugen and David Erb, Attorneys General Jason Miyares and Raúl Torrez; and so many more that we can’t possibly hope to name.
We are grateful to everyone who lent their expertise to make this a world-changing event!
Watch highlight clips from the presentations and panels below.
Self-Defense Classes, Survivor Dance Performance, and More!
The 2024 CESE Summit was not just about sitting in chairs and listening to presentations. We also had a variety of fun and inspiring activities to move our bodies and souls!
The Elizabeth Smart Foundation came to teach us self-defense classes.
Ballet After Dark, a survivor dance group, gave an incredibly moving performance—and also taught us how to dance ourselves.
Tina Harris, founder of Unite Wellness, taught yoga, mindfulness, and drumming.
Hope on the Hill: Calling for Change
Equipped and emboldened by their experiences at the event, Summit attendees took to Capitol Hill to urge Congress to protect children and survivors.
We held an invigorating rally and blitzed Congressional offices, informing them of crucial bills that would hold the tech industry accountable to prioritizing safety and giving survivors a path to justice.
Networking & Strategizing
Attendees had the opportunity to participate in networking events and break-off into “affinity groups,” giving them a chance to connect and collaborate with people working on similar aspects of the issues. This is how partnerships are formed and change is made!
Heartfelt Thank You to Our Sponsors!
The CESE Summit would not have been possible without the generous support of our many sponsors. Thank you so much for your dedication to creating a better world!
Onward!
Although the CESE Summit has concluded, we are confident that the ripple effects have only just begun.
Over 600 powerful advocates are going forth from this event with new knowledge, new connections, new ideas, and new plans for how to fight sexual exploitation with greater impact. We eagerly await to see what we can accomplish together!
