September 21, 2015

Using Technology to Counter Human Trafficking

Researchers: Sarah Godoy, MSW and Kathleen Baca, MaEd

Project Manager: Rebecca Sadwick

Faculty Advisor: John Villasenor, Ph.D.

Luskin Center for Innovation, University of California, Los Angeles

Google has tasked UCLA with suggesting recommendations to combat human trafficking

Explore Human Trafficking Across the U.S. Focus: Domestic-born sex trafficked and labor trafficked minors

Depict Geographic Manifestations of Trafficking Focus: High-intense areas

Collect New Data Focus: Gaps and Needs

Develop RecommendationsFocus: Technology

Scope of Work Current Data Themes Recommendations Conclusions

Reviewing extant literature informs research gaps

Scope of Work Current Data Themes Recommendations Conclusion

Exploiter initiates conversation with child

via social media

Exploiter sends minor new phone to communicate

• Minor agrees to meet her new “boyfriend” in

person

Minor is trapped

• Exploiter advertises minor on

Backpage.com

Minor is sold for sex

To drive the final recommendations, the team collected primary source data

Scope of Work Current Data Themes Recommendations Conclusion

• Across all sectors • All areas of traffickingTraining

To drive the final recommendations, the team collected primary source data

Scope of Work Current Data Themes Recommendations Conclusion

Collaborate• Intersectional• Cross-sectional

To drive the final recommendations, the team collected primary source data

Scope of Work Current Data Themes Recommendations Conclusion

Current Tech

• Lack of awareness• Need to leverage

To drive the final recommendations, the team collected primary source data

Scope of Work Current Data Themes Recommendations Conclusion

Collaborate

Current Tech

Develop Tech

• Intersectional• Cross-sectional

• Lack of awareness• Need to leverage

• Across all sectors • All areas of traffickingTraining

• Invest in innovative ideas

Themes

Researchers recommend using technology in the following ways

Scope of Work Current Data Themes Recommendations Conclusion

National Database

Law EnforcementVictim

Emergency Help

Service Providers

Available Servicesin real-time

Identified challenges to mitigate during implementation

● Financial concerns ● Policies and regulations● Confidentiality ● Sensitive information● Safety Issues● Access ● Hacking● Maintenance

Scope of Work Current Data Themes Recommendations Conclusion