Human trafficking is a significant global issue that affects nearly 25 million people. However, tackling this issue requires coordinated efforts among multiple groups at a local level. Law enforcement, social organizations and governments all play a significant role in identifying and combatting this activity. There are also unwilling participants, such as hotels and banks, that play a role in facilitating human trafficking. Each of these stakeholders collects volumes of data that, collectively, could be utilized in a way that paints a more detailed picture of where human trafficking is happening. Connecting these disparate data sources, identifying technological solutions to leverage these assets, and implementing effective governance structures will play a significant role in reducing the impacts of human trafficking.

In November 2019, a special Communitech Data Hub Session, in partnership with the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), hosted a panel of experts who explored the diverse challenges of tackling human trafficking. The panel included representatives from the banking sector (TD), law enforcement (Waterloo Region Police Services), digital forensics (Magnet Forensics), counselling/crisis support (Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region) and legal/policy expertise (CIGI). The panel sought to uncover the problems stakeholders face in getting to the root cause of human trafficking and explored potential solutions that can contribute to helping those on the front lines tackle this issue.

Content Warning: Please note that this video includes frank discussion of a topic that is potentially sensitive for some.