What is “Tech for Good”?
“Tech for Good” refers to the use of technology to address social, environmental, and humanitarian issues. The aim of this approach is to use technology to make a positive impact on the world by addressing some of the biggest challenges facing humanity.
Our Mission: Making the World a Safer Place
Vital4 is a leader in providing global data for corporate risk and compliance. Our technology solutions protect against financial crimes, terrorism, bribery, and corruption. We believe in using our technology for good and we have a special passion to help fight human trafficking and crimes against humanity.
Our Passion: Helping Fight Human Trafficking
There are 50 million victims worldwide earning human traffickers $150 billion profit every year making human trafficking the second largest organized crime in the world. Of the 50 million victims, 71% are women and girls and 29% are men and boys. 54% are used for sexual exploitation, 38% are forced into labor, and the remaining 8% are used for a variety of other purposes such as organ trafficking.
Companies We Partner with to Help Fight Human Trafficking
Anti-Human Trafficking Intelligence Initiative
A 501(C)(3) not-for-profit organization at the forefront of combatting global human trafficking. They offer educational courses to financial institutions regarding anti-human trafficking and money laundering patterns. ATII has also curated a database of high-risk individuals for crime investigators.
A 501(C)(3) not-for-profit organization providing pro-bono services to survivors of human trafficking. They work to educate parents, children, and the public about online safety.
Ways You Can Help to Stop Human Trafficking
Combatting human trafficking is a collective responsibility, and everyone can play a vital role in this fight. To help you get started, we have compiled ideas that you can consider to support this cause.
Educate yourself about human trafficking by familiarizing yourself with the signs of this appalling crime, such as:
- Does the individual seem disconnected from their family, friends, community organizations, or places of worship?
- Has a child suddenly stopped attending school?
- Has the person experienced a sudden or drastic change in behavior?
- Is a minor engaging in commercial sex acts?
- Is the person disoriented or displaying signs of mental or physical abuse?
- Are there bruises in various stages of healing on the person’s body?
- Is the person exhibiting fear, timidity, or submissiveness?
- Are there indications that the person has been deprived of basic necessities such as food, water, sleep, or medical care?
- Is the person frequently in the company of someone to whom they defer or who seems to be in control of the situation (e.g., dictating where they go or who they speak to)?
- Does the person seem to be coached on what to say?
- Are they living in unacceptable conditions?
- Do they lack personal belongings and appear to have an unstable living situation?
- Do they have the freedom to move around? Can they leave their living situation at will, or are there unreasonable security measures in place?
If you suspect someone is a victim of human trafficking in the United States, report an emergency to law enforcement by calling 911, contact your local or state HT Task Force or contact the 24-hour National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. If your child is missing, contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
As a conscientious consumer, research more about the products you buy and their supply chains. Websites like ResponsibleSourcingTool.org and the Department of Labor’s List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor can help you make informed choices. Encourage companies to take steps to prevent human trafficking in their supply chains and publish the information, including supplier or factory lists, for consumer awareness.
Volunteering and supporting anti-trafficking efforts in your community can make a huge difference. You can also meet with and/or write to your local, state, and federal elected officials to let them know that you care about combating human trafficking and ask what they are doing to address it.
Hosting an awareness-raising event can also help spread awareness about human trafficking. You can watch and discuss films, documentaries or books that tackle the issue of human trafficking.
Organize a fundraiser and donate the proceeds to a local anti-trafficking organization. As with any non-profit, please be sure to vet any HT organization you would like to get involved with.
Encourage your local schools or school district to include human trafficking in their curricula and develop protocols for identifying and reporting a suspected case of human trafficking or responding to a potential victim. Some states already have this in place, such as Florida, so please get involved by talking to your children and making them aware and how to be safe online.
Use your social media platforms to raise awareness about human trafficking. Use relevant hashtags like #stophumantrafficking, #endtrafficking and #freedomfirst to draw attention to the issue.
As a parent, family member or mentor to a young person or someone in need, you can be involved in new and positive experiences in that person’s life during a formative time. Traffickers often target people who are going through a difficult time or who lack strong support systems.
Parents and caregivers can host community conversations with local HT organizations, task forces, parent-teacher associations, law enforcement, schools, and community members regarding safeguarding children in their community. Learn how human traffickers often target and recruit youth and who to turn to for help in potentially dangerous situations.
Youth can also learn how to recognize traffickers’ recruitment tactics, how to safely navigate out of suspicious or uncomfortable situations, and how to reach out for help at any time.
Faith-based communities can host awareness events and community forums with anti-trafficking leaders or collectively support a local victim service provider.
College students can take action on their campus by joining or establishing a university club to raise awareness about human trafficking and initiate action throughout their local community. They can also do their research papers on topics concerning human trafficking and request that human trafficking be included in university curricula.
Health care providers, restaurant owners, hotel staff, and ride share providers can learn how to identify the indicators of human trafficking.
