Girls Roundtable Luncheon

Atlanta has the dubious distinction of being one of the largest markets for Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC). This past December (2009), awareness of this issue was discussed at length at the Junior League of Atlanta’s annual “Girls Roundtable.”

Participants from non-profits, government agencies, and volunteer groups discussed questions such as how do we responsibly talk to children and youth about the dangers and risks involved with CSEC? What can all the agencies do to reach out to runaways and help children before they become victims of CSEC? What are other prevention tactics? How can we use social media to our advantage? How do we involve churches, schools, mentors, etc. in the conversation? 

While many more discussions are needed, having groups like Girls Inc., Prevent Child Abuse Georgia, A Future. Not a Past, Girl Scouts, Street Grace, the Atlanta Girls’ School, the Atlanta Women’s Foundation and many more in the same room to talk about this issue was a major milestone. Our Girls Roundtable event was the first time these organizations sat down to talk specifically about CSEC and discuss what each individual group currently does to address CSEC and its victims, and to think about what might come next. Participants in the Roundtable left energized by the meeting, excited about future collaboration, and are planning to come back together on future occasions.  

Photos from 2009 Girls Roundtable Luncheon