IGNITE Conference Hopes to Spark Action Against Sex Trafficking

ST. LOUIS (KMOX) – Last week KMOX News told you about the horrors of child sex trafficking in the St. Louis region. Now more on new efforts to stop it.

In recent years, Nix Conference and Meeting Management has been working with the hotel industry to train employees.

“The housekeepers, the front desk, your bellmen, they see things that are happening that seem odd to them, it doesn’t seem right, but they don’t know what to do with that information,” said Molly Hackett, Principal of Nix.

Hackett says hotel staff aren’t the only ones unsure where to turn to help sex trafficking victims. That’s why Nix has launched the Exchange Initiative as a means to connect and empower individuals and organizations in fighting sex trafficking.

The group’s first effort – a Spring 2014 conference – will bring together first responders, corporations, faith-based groups, social service agencies and anyone else passionate about the issue.

“Bringing those groups together and talking about the whole cycle of kids being recruited into this; how to rescue them; how to restore,” Hackett explained.

The group is in the process of launching its website.

CBS KMOX © October 2013