Bradley Myles, Executive Director and CEO of Polaris Project, spoke about his organization’s fight to eradicate modern-day slavery and human trafficking. The Polaris Project, which has responded to over 22,000 human trafficking cases since its establishment in 2008, seeks to disrupt trafficking networks, restore freedom to current victims, and prevent future victims. Myles explained that human trafficking is so prevalent today because traffickers can make a large profit with a very low risk of being caught. As a result, many victims feel abandoned. Myles quoted trafficking survivors who regularly tell Polaris volunteers that they “had given up on their lives” and “didn’t know anyone cared.” By implementing a national hotline for trafficking victims, Myles and his team hope to leverage information technology to create a modern-day Underground Railroad.

Bradley Myles is the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Polaris Project. Polaris Project is the global leader in the fight to eradicate modern-day slavery and human trafficking. Under Myles’ leadership, Polaris works to disrupt trafficking networks, restore freedom to current victims, and prevent future victims. The organization has had impressive success. Thus far, Polaris has responded to 22,000 human trafficking cases, reported 6,300 cases to law enforcement, and pushed 127 anti-human trafficking laws through state and federal governments. Further, Polaris has secured a partnership with Wyndham Hotel Group, the world’s largest hotel company, to prevent human trafficking within its 7,590-hotel business. Myles has played an instrumental role in Polaris’ success, pioneering systematic change to make a more secure world.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx