Tech Against Trafficking Overview
Introduction
Human trafficking is a complex, thriving crime that impacts every country: There are an estimated 40 million people worldwide subjected to some form of trafficking. Given the widespread nature of this crime and the complexity of tackling it, increased engagement from all stakeholders, including and especially the private sector, is vital.
Through their expertise, capacity for innovation, and global reach, technology companies can play a major role in preventing and disrupting human trafficking and in empowering survivors. Digital information and communication technologies offer opportunities for a step change in tackling this crime.
Mission
Tech Against Trafficking is a coalition of technology companies collaborating with global experts to help eradicate human trafficking using technology.
Our goal is to work with civil society, law enforcement, academia, technologists, and survivors to advance and scale the use of technology to prevent, disrupt, and reduce human trafficking and increase and expand survivors’ access to resources.
Our Focus Areas
- Knowledge Sharing: Build a coalition of tech and anti-slavery experts to share research, best practices, and guidance. Engage a wide network of stakeholders to better understand the human trafficking "journey" and the human rights risks at each stage to help target future tech solutions.
- Research: Map the landscape of human trafficking issues and existing solutions. Analyze how technology is playing a role in preventing and disrupting crimes and in empowering survivors. Identify opportunities for greater impact and build an evidence base for action.
- Technology Solutions: Innovate and collaborate to develop tech applications to combat human trafficking. Share, pilot, and measure the success of existing solutions before scaling up or developing new proposals. Continue to review innovative and future technology which could help prevent and disrupt crimes and empower survivors.
How We Work
- Two full-group in-person meetings per year to foster group discussion and cohesion, share progress updates, and hear insights from guest speakers.
- Bi-monthly calls to ensure alignment, continue momentum on strategic goals, and share resources.
- Ad-hoc webinars to provide updates on key developments in the human trafficking space.
- Workstream meetings to develop plans to implement deliverables for each workstream.
Why Join?
- Go beyond compliance with legislation to champion the use of your technology products, services, assets, and people to fight human trafficking.
- Enhance your corporate reputation, build brand equity, and reduce risk with investors, customers, and key stakeholders.
- Collaborate in a safe space with industry peers and anti-slavery experts to share insights, research, and best practices.
- Build capacity within your organization and within key stakeholder groups such as civil society and law enforcement.
- Innovate and inform how you design and develop technology solutions that respect human rights.
- Drive progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 8.7 by taking immediate and effective measures to eradicate human trafficking.
Research Lead
Babson College’s Initiative on Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), jointly with the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, were the founding organizations of the RESPECT initiative, Tech Against Trafficking’s Research Lead. As of July 2019, the Global Initiative is continuing the hosting of the RESPECT initiative and research leadership of Tech Against Trafficking.
Tech Against Trafficking Sustainable Development Goals Alignment
