Allies Against Slavery

A decade ago, we gathered in a public library with a shared belief in the injustice of human trafficking. Today, we're changing the conversation about data in the movement. When a small group of volunteers first met in 2010, we had no idea what the next fourteen years would hold. We spent years listening to survivors, working alongside frontline partners, and conducting statewide research. A clear truth emerged: one of the biggest challenges to effectively combating human trafficking was seeing it. Collectively, we would never be able to solve a problem we couldn't see or measure. Today, over 200 partners and more than 2,000 field professionals are using Lighthouse across three states to identify victims and access a dozen data sources in one place. Data is no longer an afterthought—it's the foundation for transformation: - Schools and healthcare providers prioritizing screening and identification - State agencies making evidence-based decisions about resource allocation - Law enforcement visualizing data to target hotspots and enhance training - Survivor leaders citing research to educate judges and policymakers - Researchers developing predictive models to prevent trafficking before it occurs A new ecosystem of partners is emerging, equipped and connected through innovative data solutions, ready to proactively tackle human trafficking in the 21st century. This work would not be possible without partners like you. Together, we are a formidable force for good. Read our full 2024 Impact Report in the comments below. #DataRevolution #HumanTrafficking #CollectiveImpact #SystemsChange

When research is informed by lived experience, powerful truths emerge. In 2024, we launched our Research program, producing peer-reviewed articles, topical reports, and opinion editorials to equip stakeholders with evidence for informed decision-making. But one project stands out: our collaboration with survivor leader Ava Kamdem. After coding hundreds of human trafficking prosecutions during her internship with us, Ava noticed a disturbing pattern: many women being prosecuted in sex trafficking cases were likely victims themselves—reflecting her own lived experience. This sparked the "female defendants project," where we created a typology of female defendants in federal sex trafficking prosecutions. The findings? 54% of females in cases they reviewed were victims themselves, forced to engage in criminal activity on behalf of their trafficker. "When I raised this idea with the Allies research team, they not only listened to me, but enthusiastically partnered with me to pursue this research agenda, which is very personal to me," Ava shares. "This opened up the opportunity for me to publish a paper, present the findings at several conferences, and list this accomplishment on my CV as I apply to Ph.D. programs." We summarize the principles of survivor-inclusive research with the acronym CARE: CREDIT – Survivors are acknowledged for their contributions. AGENCY – Survivors have decision-making authority and influence in research. REMUNERATION – Survivors are fairly compensated for their expertise. EQUITY – Survivors are equal members of the research team. Discover more in our 2024 Impact Report in the comments below!

Today, our team testified before the Texas House Human Services Committee in support of HB451, legislation that would require universal screening for commercial sexual exploitation of children in Texas foster care and juvenile justice systems. Our CEO John Nehme was joined by Allies board member and advocate Rhonda Kuykendall and Caroline Roberts from CHILDREN AT RISK. We also got to reconnect with Andrea Galliano Sparks who helped pioneer screening in Texas. For months, we have collaborated with Representative Senfronia Thompson's office to draft this critical legislation, exemplifying how data can illuminate gaps and drive policy solutions that protect vulnerable children. Representative Thompson has been an extraordinary champion for human trafficking victims throughout her career. Her leadership on HB451 continues her legacy of evidence-based advocacy for the most vulnerable Texans. She knows that data isn't just numbers - it tells the stories of survivors and creates a roadmap to justice. Our testimony focused on what we've learned from the screening data in Lighthouse. As of October 2024, we've collected 174,000+ screenings across Texas, with key findings that demand action: 1) Nearly 10% of all screenings indicate Clear Concern for trafficking (the highest risk level) 2) For children in DFPS care specifically, that rate rises dramatically to 36.9% – more than triple the state average 3) Yet in 2022, only 0.8% of children in foster care were screened, despite DFPS identifying 371 suspected or confirmed victims through their investigations Our analysis reveals the five most common risk indicators across all Clear Concern screenings: history of running away, child welfare involvement, sexual abuse history, juvenile justice involvement, and engagement in high-risk behaviors. The evidence is clear: trafficking victims regularly interact with child welfare systems, yet these systems lack universal screening protocols to identify and protect them. This legislation represents the essential bridge between data insights and systemic change. As one Texas social worker told us: "Once you see it, you cannot unsee it. The ability to screen children puts into perspective just how many are at high risk for exploitation and helps our team know exactly who we need to invest in the most." We remain committed to supporting Rep. Thompson's vision for a Texas where no child remains invisible to the systems designed to protect them. To read more about this screening data, download our Youth Screening Insights Report on our website: https://lnkd.in/gts8q5xW #HumanTrafficking #ChildWelfare #DataForGood #PolicyAdvocacy #Texas #AlliesAgainstSlavery #RepThompson

Last week, our CEO John Nehme joined industry leaders at the Anti-Trafficking Alliance Conference hosted by the Safe House Project for an insightful panel discussion on harnessing data to drive meaningful impact in the anti-trafficking movement. "Data helps us move from being reactive to proactive. It's time to go on offense. It's time to get ahead of the traffickers," John shared. It was an honor to share the panel with Derek Jackson of Cyber Dive and Eric Matheny of Collaborative to End Human Trafficking who provided unique insights about the value of data to drive change in this work. The conversation explored several key takeaways: ? No more guessing about what works. ? Prevention becomes possible with predictive insights ? Cross-sector collaboration multiplies impact ? Survivor-inclusive research ensures solutions address real needs John also shared how Allies is building a comprehensive data ecosystem through our Lighthouse platform, used by over 200 partner agencies across Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. At Allies Against Slavery, we're committed to transforming how the anti-trafficking movement understands, prevents, and responds to this crisis. The future of this work is proactive, data-driven, and collaborative. What role do you see data playing in social impact work? Share your thoughts below. #HumanTrafficking #DataForGood #SocialImpact #AntiTrafficking Kristi Wells Brittany Dunn, MBA Bill Woolf

Data was once the missing piece in the anti-trafficking puzzle. Not anymore. A decade ago, large-scale data solutions were nonexistent in the anti-trafficking movement. Today, Lighthouse Data aggregates and visualizes 12 unique datasets with 1,511 variables, giving decision-makers unprecedented insight into trafficking patterns. 2024 marked a turning point as we welcomed Florida as our third state partner alongside Texas and Louisiana. We also integrated two critical national datasets: federal human trafficking prosecutions and state human trafficking policies. Dr. Vanessa Bouché, who selected Allies to adopt these national datasets she created and managed for over 10 years, states: "I trust Allies Against Slavery with maintaining, analyzing, and disseminating these critical sources of data to empower stakeholders to make informed, data-driven decisions across the nation." Our Florida partnership with the University of South Florida's TIP Risk to Resilience Research Lab marks another transformative milestone, as Professor Joan Reid notes: "Using Lighthouse to create Florida's version of a data dashboard will help us see, understand, and act upon the data collected through SB 7064." Together, we're building a national data ecosystem that will transform how trafficking is fought in America. Read our full 2024 Impact Report in the comments below! #DataForGood #HumanTrafficking #CollectiveImpact #DataVisualization

In 2024,?39,423 screenings?were conducted in Texas and Louisiana and?collected in Lighthouse, identifying?3,286 youth?as "Clear Concern" for human trafficking. Behind each number is a real person whose life trajectory changed because they were seen and supported. Behind these numbers are stories of transformation. As Bryn Stonehouse from Abilene Independent School District explains, "The ability to screen our students puts into perspective just how many are at high-risk for exploitation" and helps them "know exactly who we need to invest in the most." A major milestone this year was the integration of a new labor trafficking screening tool developed by Louisiana's Office of Human Trafficking Prevention—one of the first designed specifically for identifying youth victims of labor trafficking. When the right information reaches the right people at the right time, victims become visible, and prevention becomes possible. Learn more about how data is transforming the fight against trafficking in our 2024 Impact Report in the comments below.

Our 2024 Impact Report is here! We are building a future where every community has the data it needs to make victims visible and prevent human trafficking. A decade ago, large-scale solutions were nonexistent and data was siloed, but today, Lighthouse is empowering a new ecosystem of partners across three states who are using data to proactively tackle human trafficking. The numbers tell a powerful story. ??39,423 screenings conducted by 186 agencies across 2 states ??3,286 youth identified as Clear Concern for human trafficking ??12 unique datasets integrated into Lighthouse Data ??26 research publications and presentations delivered But behind each number is a real person whose life trajectory may have changed because they were seen and supported through data-driven solutions. ??As our CEO John notes, "A new ecosystem of partners is emerging, equipped and connected through our innovative data solutions, ready to proactively tackle human trafficking in the 21st century." ??Download our full Impact Report to learn how we're harnessing data to illuminate and eradicate human trafficking:?https://lnkd.in/g_6zkKdc #HumanTrafficking #DataForGood #SocialImpact #PreventionWorks

The Right Track, a new documentary, spotlights real stories from survivors and shows how the Survivor Model can drive meaningful change in the fight to end sex trafficking! Watch the trailer and check out the film’s website: https://lnkd.in/g_4Hpb9T #TheRightTrack #SurvivorModel

Amplify Austin Giving Day is here, and we need your help to make our campaign a success! Your generosity fuels our work in harnessing data to illuminate and eradicate human trafficking, and today, every gift brings us closer to a world where survivors are protected and frontline professionals are empowered. Explore the various ways you can support Allies Against Slavery today!

Be a beacon of hope!????Join the Allies Against Slavery Lightkeepers Collective and help grant freedom to a survivor every month. Sign up now at: https://lnkd.in/gxVa7t9U