Sex-trafficking Specialist to Speak

Lauran Bethell, a specialist in the international exploitation and abuse of women and children, will speak at Samford University March 16 at 10 a.m. in Reid Chapel. Bethell, international ministries consultant with the American Baptist Churches, will speak as the 2006 Marie NeSmith Fowler Lecturer in Christianity, Women and Leadership Studies.

Considered one of the world’s leading authorities on the problems of international sex traffic, Bethell has given testimony to the U.S. Congress and in 2005, received the Human Rights Award from the Baptist World Alliance. Bethell, based at the International Baptist Theological Seminary in Prague, Czech Republic, travels worldwide to initiate and encourage new projects that will address the exploitation and abuse of women and children.