How Communication Technologies are used in the Prevention and Protection from Child Trafficking Corey Oser, Director of Global Hotlines Program, Polaris CHI International Consultation 2014 October 31, 2014

Client Services Data Analysis Global Hotlines National Human Trafficking Resource Center Policy Advocacy Training & Technical Assistance and Strategic Interventions Polaris Programs

Global Hotlines Program Map, Connect & Share Anti-Trafficking Hotlines & Organizations Provide Training Technical Assistance Grow the Global Human Trafficking Hotline Network Increase Global Coordination & Gather, Analyze and Share Data

Defining Child Trafficking Technology and Traffickers – How is technology used by controllers? Technology and Responders – How is technology used in prevention and protection? Technology and Helplines – How can hotlines and helplines use technology? Presentation Overview

Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 = Sex Trafficking + Labor Trafficking For adults: requires “force, fraud, or coercion” For minors (under 18): the use of force, fraud, or coercion is NOT required - Underage victim cannot consent What is Child Trafficking?

The Numbers 20.9 Million 27% = Minors 63% = Girls37% = Boys 73% = Adults

Social Networking Mobile Phones Online Classifieds Chat Rooms Creation of Fraudulent Online Identities Recruitment Social Networking Online Classifieds Anonymized Networks Buyer Review Websites Sex Tourism Websites Advertisement Traffickers & Technology

Credit/Debit Cards Payment Apps Online Money Transfers Virtual Currency Payment Social Networking Monitoring and Surveillance (video, GPS, mobile phone “checking in”, etc.) Mobile Phone/ Communications Control Traffickers & Technology

Websites (tips on methods of control, ways to structure business, how to recruit, etc.) YouTube (videos on “how to be a pimp”) Buyer Review Sites (controllers will monitor reviews and punish based on bad reviews) Information Sharing Web-cams Child Pornography Dark Web File Sharing (TOR illicit services forums) Online Exploitation Traffickers & Technology

Online Awareness Campaigns Mobile Phone SMS Engagement Campaigns Social Network Campaigns Prevention Mobile Phones Social Networking SMS/Online Chat/Hotlines Outreach Data mining from Online Advertisements Financial Tracing Data Collection via Hotlines/Helplines Investigation Responding with Technology

Multi-modal access to helpline services – Easy, comfortable access points for youth – Text/SMS, online chat, , phone Data Collection and Analysis – Understand how callers learn of the hotline, double-down on successful outreach efforts – Understand where and how trafficking is occurring; use this to influence policy Helplines & Technology: Access Points

Toll Free Hotline: /7, National, 180 languages SMS Texting: BE FREE (233733) 24/7, National Webform Helplines & Technology: Access Points

Helplines & Technology: Data Collection

Prevention: Identifying vulnerable populations; identifying recruitment tactics and methods. Intervention: Identifying ways trafficking is facilitated, e.g., key borders, misused visas, policy loopholes. Increasing the risk for traffickers: Intelligence on existing operations; data on specific businesses, networks, and individuals. Helplines & Technology: Data Collection

Helplines & Technology: Collaboration

Do NOT need to invent new technology. Need to repurpose existing technology to fit the needs of the field. Need to collaborate. Traffickers have enough advantages as it is, should not be duplicating efforts. Focus efforts on manageable tasks that can have a measurable impact Important Takeaways

Questions?