Exploiting vulnerability for profit
Human trafficking occurs when one person uses manipulation, threats, or violence to control another person for economic gain.
Today 50 million people experience forms of modern slavery, from forced labor and forced marriage to forced commercial sexual exploitation. Women and children are disproportionately impacted.
Though the types and means of trafficking are diverse, the root causes are common: social and economic vulnerability, profitable illicit business models, weak rule of law, and geo-political conflicts that drive migration.
This human rights abuse demands urgent, coordinated, and effective action to protect freedom and dignity.
Measuring the Problem
In 2014, good data on the true scope of trafficking in Texas was nonexistent. We had no way of knowing if we were getting any closer to solving the problem.
So we partnered with the University of Texas to conduct the first statewide prevalence study.
Our groundbreaking research offered a factual look inside the economic impact of human trafficking and shed light on the true scope of the issue.
On any given day, there are an estimated 313,000 victims of human trafficking in Texas alone.
It was clear more people than we imagined were being exploited, and fewer than we hoped were being identified and helped.
Making Victims Visible
If so many people are victimized, why are so few identified?
A myth persists that victims are locked away by their trafficker. But the reality is up to 88% of victims report interacting with a professional during their trafficking experience who missed the chance to identify and help them.
Field professionals need better tools, training, and data to see what’s right in front of them.
Enter Lighthouse, our powerful software platform that hundreds of organizations use to identify victims, coordinate care, and see trends in data.
Lighthouse is reshaping the movement to end human trafficking and building a network of partners who use data to drive change.