This event took place via Zoom Webinar, on Thursday, February 1, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
“Technology and the internet are an essential part of our lives, and no one should have to endure abuse just because they are attempting to participate in society.”
– VP Harris
Join your Women’s Fund for an enlightening virtual event, anchored in our Freedom From Violence Pillar. As we delve into the complexities of human trafficking, it’s imperative to understand the evolving landscape where traffickers exploit technology to carry out their heinous activities.
In our discussion, we will shed light on the disturbing trend of traffickers leveraging social media, online platforms, and emerging technologies to identify and exploit victims. Social media, once a tool for connectivity, has become a breeding ground for traffickers who create deceptive profiles to groom and lure potential victims into exploitative situations.
Compelling data from the National Human Trafficking Hotline indicates that technology, particularly social media is a common venue, as traffickers use these platforms to gain insight into a person’s life. In 2020, the hotline identified a 125% increase in recruitment reports through Facebook and 95% through Instagram.
We will be joined by experts in the field who will provide insights into the latest developments and discuss collaborative efforts to combat human trafficking in the digital age.