Ideas worth spreading

3 ways businesses can fight sex trafficking

1,577,734 views | Nikki Clifton • TED@UPS

Sex buying doesn't just happen late at night on street corners in the shady part of town -- it also happens online, in the middle of the workday, using company equipment and resources. With this problem comes an opportunity, says attorney Nikki Clifton, because it means that the business community is in a unique position to educate and mobilize their employees to fight sex trafficking. In an honest talk, Clifton outlines how businesses can help, from setting clear policies to hiring survivors.

Sex buying doesn't just happen late at night on street corners in the shady part of town -- it also happens online, in the middle of the workday, using company equipment and resources. With this problem comes an opportunity, says attorney Nikki Clifton, because it means that the business community is in a unique position to educate and mobilize their employees to fight sex trafficking. In an honest talk, Clifton outlines how businesses can help, from setting clear policies to hiring survivors.

This talk was presented at a TED Institute event given in partnership with UPS. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about the TED Institute.

Learn how to identify and report suspicious or exploitative activities in your area through the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888.

About the speaker

Attorney, government affairs professional

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Nikki Clifton represents UPS's interests before Members of US Congress, federal agencies and the states’ Attorneys General.

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Polaris

Polaris serves victims and survivors through the National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-3737-888) and coordinates with referral partners nationwide as an access point for trauma informed support. The organization has compiled the largest data set on human trafficking in the US and developed a classification system that identifies 25 types of human trafficking.

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Truckers Against Trafficking

Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) exists to educate, equip, empower and mobilize the trucking and busing industries to combat human trafficking. The organization specializes in providing awareness education to transportation professionals and partnering with law enforcement and agencies to facilitate investigations, perpetrator arrest and victim recovery.

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Businesses Ending Slavery & Trafficking

BEST was created to keep children and vulnerable people safe from human traffickers. The organization's mission is to align and equip leaders to use the power of business to prevent human trafficking. BEST consults on best practices for businesses, provides model policies for employers and provides training.

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Blue Campaign, Department of Homeland Security

Through the Blue Campaign, the Department of Homeland Security raises public awareness about human trafficking, educates the public to recognize signs and report suspected incidents and trains law enforcement.

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ECPAT International

ECPAT International works to eliminate all forms of child sexual exploitation. The global network provides advocacy, education and victim assistance around the world.

Rachel Lloyd | Harper Perennial, 2012 | Book

Girls Like Us: Fighting for a World Where Girls Are Not for Sale: A Memoir

E. Benjamin Skinner | Free Press, 2009 | Book

A Crime So Monstrous: Face-to-Face with Modern-Day Slavery

About TED Institute

Every year, TED works with a group of select companies and foundations to identify internal ideators, inventors, connectors, and creators. Drawing on the same rigorous regimen that has prepared speakers for the TED main stage, TED Institute works closely with each partner, overseeing curation and providing intensive one-on-one talk development to sharpen and fine tune ideas. The culmination is an event produced, recorded, and hosted by TED, generating a growing library of valuable TED Talks that can spur innovation and transform organizations.

Read more about the TED Institute

This talk was presented at a TED Institute event given in partnership with UPS. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about the TED Institute.

Learn how to identify and report suspicious or exploitative activities in your area through the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888.