Modern-day abolitionist Russell to speak about efforts to end sex trafficking

The founder of an organization that provides services and support to boys who are victims of child prostitution and commercial sexual exploitation in Thailand will address a campus audience Wednesday (Nov. 20) in a Common Theme event sponsored by Student Life and the student organization Unchained. Alezandra Russell founded Urban Light after witnessing the horrors of sex-trafficking and child prostitution during a trip to Thailand in 2009. Just months later, she quit her desk job and grabbed her passport for a bi-continental existence as a modern-day abolitionist. Russell pawned her engagement and wedding rings to fund the inception of the Recycled Child Project, which became Urban Light. Realizing the great potential of students to modern day change-makers, Russell has initiated a Campus Awareness Campaign, which provides an entry point for students’ involvement in combatting sex trafficking. She will speak at 8 p.m. in the Phoenix Room of the Union.