We cannot discuss the sex trade in the U.S. without addressing colonization, slavery, and the institutionalized inter-generational oppression of women and girls. Ignoring this history has led to the continued exploitation, and too often criminalization, of women and girls of color. Cherice Hopkins, Staff Attorney at Rights4Girls will discuss the racial and gender disparities among survivors, how to disrupt the criminalization of survivors, and how to promote survivor-centered accountability for exploiters.In “Past is present: The historical effects of the sex trade on women and girls of color today,” Cherice Hopkins, Staff Attorney at Rights4Girls, will discuss the racial and gender disparities among survivors, how to disrupt the criminalization of survivors, and how to promote survivor-centered accountability for exploiters.