Dr. Susanna L. Southworth, Ph.D., J.D.

Dr. Susanna Southworth is dedicated to ending human trafficking and child sexual exploitation. Through her law firm, Restore the Child, PLLC, she represents victims of abuse, online exploitation,  child sex abuse material (CSAM), and sex trafficking. Susanna’s mission is for her clients to experience a new beginning, to a life free from the pain of past abuse, while receiving maximum recovery for their harm. Since obtaining her license in 2004 to practice law in Washington State, Susanna has advocated for vulnerable populations in several areas of the law, including, immigration (removal defense and U visas for victims of abuse), criminal (excluding sex offenses), and guardianships and estate planning. Further, she holds certifications in collaborative law and basic mediation training.

Susanna serves survivors of child sex trafficking in her leadership as president of the Rotary Club of the Pacific Northwest Ending Sex Trafficking during the 2022-2023 Rotary year. In addition, she serves on the leadership boards for CHILD USA, CHILD USAdvocacy, Compassion Washington, and the Organization for Prostitution Survivors (OPS) to help survivors of sex trafficking and exploitation. Prior to forming Restore the Child, PLLC, Susanna represented survivors in numerous lawsuits against websites and hotel brands for their facilitation of child sex trafficking, including the first case to not be defeated at the motion to dismiss stage and reach global resolution against a well-known website. She brings experience representing survivors of child sex abuse in high stakes litigation to Restore the Child with an unyielding commitment to protect the most vulnerable and fight for justice.

Susanna has a heart for mentoring youth and a passion for education, which she invests in as a Lecturer for the Division of Politics, Philosophy, and Public Affairs for the School of Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Washington Tacoma. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science with Emphases in Comparative Politics and Public Administration Subfields from The University of Utah; a Doctor of Jurisprudence from The University of Texas Law School; and, a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs, European Studies Emphasis from The University of Colorado at Boulder.

Susanna passionately believes that trafficking prevention education that is trauma-informed is key to ending child sexual exploitation. To this end, she has completed a Certificate Program in Traumatic Stress Studies with the Trauma Research Foundation. Susanna has presented trainings to government and nonprofit entities across the country to educate on child sex trafficking and child sexual exploitation. Susanna strives to end child sexual exploitation through prevention education, empowering youth in higher education, and powerful but trauma-informed advocacy for her clients.