I don’t know about you, but I want to understand more than what I think I already know. So, Hot on the heels of my episode with Kaytlin Bailey (with whom I have a controversial, uncensored, and passionate conversation with), I sit down with Valiant Richey, OSCE Special Representative for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings. 

In this episode, I invite Val to challenge my beliefs, educate me on International obligations, and clear up any confusion, assumption, or misunderstandings I might have on the current rally cry to ‘end the demand.’ 

Val is both patient and generous in this episode, and I genuinely look forward to sharing part two with you all later in the season. 

Valiant (Val) Richey is the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings. He represents the OSCE at the political level on anti-trafficking issues, and assists the 57 OSCE participating States in the development and implementation of anti-trafficking strategies and initiatives. His Office also has a co-ordinating function among OSCE structures and institutions involved in combating trafficking in human beings.

Before joining the OSCE, Val worked for thirteen years as a prosecutor in Seattle handling sexual assault, child exploitation and human trafficking cases. He led a coalition of law enforcement, NGOs, academics, service providers, philanthropists, and policy makers focused on the eradication of commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking in Washington State, and he was appointed by the Attorney General to represent prosecutors on the Washington State Trafficking in Persons Coordinating Committee. He has a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Political Science from Boston University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Washington. For more information about the OSCE and Val, please visit their website https://www.osce.org

Show Hosted by Rayanne K. Irving 
Produced by Andrew Gavin
Social Media Creative Director: German Cabrera