Prevention is Protection | Jennifer Swain | TEDxEmory

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. It's not impossible for us to live in a world where no child will ever become a victim of child sex trafficking or a trafficker seeking to buy or purchase sex with a minor.

Ms. Swain has been passionately involved with serving commercially sexually exploited victims for the past six years. Swain’s influential vision aided in the development of Georgia’s first trafficking-specific prevention program for youth ages 11-17, youthSpark Voices. As the youthSpark Programs Director, she leads their current efforts to stop the demand for prostituted youth through the A Future. Not A Past. Campaign and to prevent youth deemed “high risk” from becoming child sex trafficking victims through youthSpark Voices and youth-empowered education initiatives. She speaks, trains, and advocates on behalf of child sex trafficking victims to various state agencies both locally and nationally that may have contact with children regarding warning signs and available services.

She is a Member of the Governor’s Office for Children & Families CSEC Task Force and is also a member of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children Family Advocacy & Outreach Network, a network of providers and agencies available to help link trafficking victims and their families to services and support when needed in Georgia.

Prior to her work in the non-profit world, Swain worked in communications for FOX5/WZDX in Alabama and has experience working with youth through her longtime volunteer work with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alabama. She is a graduate of Alabama A&M University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications with specialized child sex trafficking training & education from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Girls Educating & Mentoring Services, and Immigration & Customs Enforcement.

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