Speakers

Dr. Cassandra Ma, Psy.D., is the Founder and Executive Director of Reclaim13, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing healing services to survivors of sexual abuse, trafficking, and exploitation.

Reclaim13 began in 2012. Dr. Ma and Reclaim13 have been recognized by the Office of the U.S. Attorneys for the Northern District of Illinois for their work with victims of child sex trafficking. She has been recognized by the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services for her compassion, dedication and commitment to the children and families of Illinois and has served on various advisory boards, including the Illinois Children’s Justice Task Force and the College of DuPage’s Human Services. Dr. Ma has been featured on ABC’s “Our America: Women Forward” and “Asian Influences.” She presents frequently about child trafficking and child victimization and contributed the chapter on “Developmental Aspects of Child Trafficking” in the book, Psychological Perspectives on Human Trafficking, published by the American Psychological Association. Dr. Ma was recognized as Woman of the Year by the Rotary Club of Chicago, was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation, and received Convene’s Infinitely Beyond Award, in recognition of one who courageously answered God's call, stepped out in faith, and allowed God to work through them in remarkable ways to advance His Kingdom.. She is passionate about forging a forever community for survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation until all children can grow up feeling safe and loved.

Dr. Ma received her doctorate in clinical psychology at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in marriage and family therapy at the Family Institute at Northwestern University, where she joined the staff team and core faculty, teaching and coordinating the Bette D. Harris Family and Child Clinic.

María Celeste Tortosa is Co-Head of the NGO LEFÖ-IBF, Intervention Center for Trafficked Women*. A sociologist and social worker from the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina, she specializes in care politics from a gender perspective. Since January 2024, she has been part of the leadership team of LEFÖ - Counselling, Education, and Support for Migrant Women*. Before that, she spent seven years working as a psychosocial counsellor and in supporting clients throughout their legal and court procedures at LEFÖ-IBF. Her experience in research and project development and management covers the topics of institutional and structural violence, human rights, and migration. She is especially committed to bringing together law and lived realities with anti-racist and intersectional feminist perspectives.
 

Gene McConnell – Expert Witness, Advocate, and Educator on Sexual Exploitation and Pornography Harms

Gene McConnell is a nationally recognized expert on the impact of pornography, sexual exploitation, sex trafficking, and compulsive sexual behaviors. With more than 40 years of experience, he has educated and trained thousands of professionals—including therapists, law enforcement, clergy, and medical providers—on the behavioral, relational, and societal harms associated with pornography and the commercial sex industry.

Mr. McConnell brings both professional and lived experience to his work. Having been exposed to pornography at a young age and previously struggled with compulsive sexual behavior, he offers informed insight into patterns of use, escalation, addiction dynamics, and their effects on brain function, relationships, and overall well-being. His combined experiential and professional background has informed decades of public education, training, and advocacy.

He has collaborated with law enforcement and legal organizations, including the Los Angeles Police Department and the National Law Center for Children and Families, to develop and advance public policy addressing the secondary effects of sexually oriented businesses. Notably, he played a contributing role in the development and passage of one of the nation’s strongest constitutionally sound Sexually Oriented Business ordinances in Lancaster, California. Following its enactment, he has advised and assisted multiple jurisdictions across the United States in drafting and implementing similar regulatory frameworks.

Mr. McConnell has also worked extensively with organizations serving individuals exiting the commercial sex industry, contributing to program development, community-based interventions, and demand-reduction strategies. His work has consistently focused on the relationship between pornography consumption and downstream harms, including exploitation, trafficking, and public health impacts.

He is the creator of The Power of Pornography™ https://www.authenticrelationshipsint.com/ending-sexual-exploitation/ , a educational program delivered to more than 100,000 college students nationwide, and Pursuing the Hidden Heart™ https://www.authenticrelationshipsint.com/initiatives/pursuing-the-hidden-heart/, a structured program addressing trauma, shame, and compulsive behaviors. These programs are utilized in both community and institutional settings across the United States and internationally.

From 2004 to 2015, Mr. McConnell served with Southcentral Foundation in Anchorage, Alaska, where he held the role of Program Director of Special Projects under the Office of the President. In that capacity, he led initiatives focused on behavioral health, violence prevention, and culturally responsive programming, including significant contributions to the Family Wellness Warriors Initiative addressing domestic violence, sexual abuse, and neglect.

Mr. McConnell has presented at national and international conferences and has consulted with governmental and non-governmental organizations on issues related to sexual exploitation and public health. His work has included participation in global forums and contributions to international awareness efforts addressing the demand side of sexual exploitation.

He is also featured in the documentary Buying Her www.buyingher.com, which examines the demand dynamics driving sexual exploitation and trafficking.

Mr. McConnell continues to provide education, consultation, and expert insight on the individual and societal impacts of pornography and sexual exploitation.