Shea Rhodes, Director CSE Institute, Villanova Law School

Rhodes is the director and co-founder of the Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE Institute) at Villanova Law School. The CSE Institute is an nonprofit organization that engages in policy advocacy and works to educate and provide technical assistance to those who respond to commercial sexual exploitation in Pennsylvania, the United States and beyond. In her capacity as director, she manages two full-time attorneys, teaches and mentors several students each semester, and guides CSE Institute projects and events to advance their mission to end sex trafficking in the commonwealth.

Last year, Gov. Tom Wolf passed Act 130 of 2018, “Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children.” This law provides immunity to minors for the crimes of prostitution and obstruction of the highway. Rhodes was instrumental in facilitating the passage of Safe Harbor from its very inception. 

The CSE Institute conducted a national legislative analysis and found that Safe Harbor laws were the next wave of policy changes. Rhodes drafted a model piece of legislation that became Senate Bill 851 (2015-2016), and, later, Senate Bill 554 (2017-2018). During those years, Rhodes prioritized this important piece of legislation. She routinely traveled to Harrisburg to lead constituents in Advocacy Days, spoke at numerous press conferences, and provided oral and written testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on two occasions.

How did you first become interested in battling sex trafficking, prostitution, and commercial sexual exploitation?

In 2010 I was working as an assistant district attorney in the Project Dawn court in Philadelphia. As we worked to make the court a formal problem solving court I was listening to the stories of the women. I realized that society generally—and more specifically the justice system—was criminalizing a population of women that were being victimized.

Your advocacy involves educating, collaborating with and bringing together various entities that are not always aligned in their missions. How were you able to foster the support necessary to get the Safe Harbor law passed?

This was probably the most challenging project of my career. Four years of my life. I took every opportunity to educate whomever would listen about how sexually exploited children are victims of child abuse. Our laws were inconsistent and therefore untenable. We had to correct the flaws in the law in order to make sure that the most vulnerable members of our society are protected.

What is the best advice you ever received?

Make sure that if you are having a bad day—it isn't a bad day all day.