Gridshock
Monday, 27 Jan 2025 at 6:00 pm – Sun Room, Memorial Union
Gridshock is a riveting documentary exposing the hidden and disturbing reality behind the sex trafficking demand in Iowa. Vanessa McNeal, a filmmaker and survivor of sexual violence sets out to explore the often overlooked reality about why the sex trafficking industry thrives. The truth is that sex trafficking wouldn’t exist without the unquenchable thirst and demand for it. On the quest to learn more, Vanessa discovers who the johns/buyers are and why there is a culture of impunity that hides and protects them. In this riveting and truly disturbing documentary what you think you know about sex trafficking will be challenged. What is hidden will come to light, even in a midwestern state like Iowa. The film features survivors of sex trafficking, local and federal law enforcement, advocates, politicians, and a recovering sex addict. The film will begin at 6pm, followed by a 10-minute break, then a panel beginning at 7:10pm featuring two trauma-trained licensed counselors with years of experience supporting trafficked survivors and two survivors of sexual violence and sex trafficking.Gridshock is a riveting documentary exposing the hidden and disturbing reality behind the sex trafficking demand in Iowa. Vanessa McNeal, a filmmaker and survivor of sexual violence sets out to explore the often overlooked reality about why the sex trafficking industry thrives. The truth is that sex trafficking wouldn’t exist without the unquenchable thirst and demand for it. On the quest to learn more, Vanessa discovers who the johns/buyers are and why there is a culture of impunity that hides and protects them. In this riveting and truly disturbing documentary what you think you know about sex trafficking will be challenged. What is hidden will come to light, even in a midwestern state like Iowa. The film features survivors of sex trafficking, local and federal law enforcement, advocates, politicians, and a recovering sex addict. The film will begin at 6pm, followed by a 10-minute break, then a panel beginning at 7:10pm featuring two trauma-trained licensed counselors with years of experience supporting trafficked survivors and two survivors of sexual violence and sex trafficking.
Stay for the entire event, including the brief question-and-answer session that follows the formal presentation. Most events run 75 minutes.
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Lecture Etiquette
- Stay for the entire lecture and the brief audience Q&A. If a student needs to leave early, he or she should sit near the back and exit discreetly.
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