Child sex trafficking is dramatically more common than most people realize. Mary Mazzio’s new documentary, “I Am Jane Doe,” aims to raise awareness about this horrific crime and the fact that a child is trafficked every minute of every day across America. A digital release date has been announced for the Jessica Chastain-narrated feature, which had a theatrical run in February. “I Am Jane Doe” will premiere on iTunes and Google Play May 12 and on Netflix May 26.
The doc “chronicles the epic battle that several American mothers are waging on behalf of their underage daughters who were bought and sold for sex online,” its official synopsis details.
“I did not learn about the breadth and scope of child sex trafficking in this country until a few years ago when I read about Doe v. Backpage, which was a case in Boston filed by three children, aged 14–15 years old, against Backpage,” Mazzio told us. “They were seeking the opportunity to litigate whether and to what extent Backpage was responsible for the harm they suffered by virtue of being bought and sold online. This is not a crime that affects a child here and there,” she emphasized. “It affects thousands and thousands of children in this country. It is a human rights violation that is swept under the rug.”
Half of the proceeds from the film will be donated to non-profit organizations serving survivors.
“The most powerful tool in the fight against human trafficking is awareness,” Mazzio commented. “Being able to reach millions of Americans is going to make an incredible difference in the fight against traffickers and the online portals which facilitate this crime. It will also help the victims of this gut-wrenching crime see that they are not alone and are not forgotten.”
Mazzio’s previous credits include docs “Underwater Dreams,” centered on the sons of undocumented Mexican immigrants and their mission to build an underwater robot, and “The Apple Pushers,” a portrait of five immigrant pushcart vendors who help bring fresh fruits and vegetables to New York City’s food deserts. She is the founder of 50 Eggs Films, an independent production company committed to creating films with social impact.
“The ‘I Am Jane Doe’ film project also includes an animated short film, ‘Little Red,’ aimed as a prevention tool for at-risk children, aged 11–14 years old,” a press release notes. The short is written by Mazzio, 10 child sex trafficking survivors, and Alec Sokolow (“Toy Story”). The short will be completed by April 2017 and will be gifted to any program serving at-risk, low-income children.
