Boosting Victim Identification and Criminal Accountability

We work with global law enforcement to expand in-field reporting, strengthen data sharing, and apply AI to expose criminal networks.

Law Enforcement Collaboration & Support Program

Increasing victim identification and reducing criminal impunity

Slave traders are currently winning the war on modern slavery. Global data provided by Governments to the US Department of State for 2022 reveal worryingly low rates of victim identification (115,324 victims out of 49.6 million = 0.0023%) and worryingly high rates of criminal impunity (15,159 prosecutions and 5,777 convictions = 99.97%) making modern slavery the perfect crime.

It will not be easy to shift these metrics by virtue of entrenched system-level characteristics of the modern slavery problem that have combined to produce the current status quo, including:

Highly sophisticated criminal networks running the slavery industry
Global supply chains that are highly sophisticated yet lack transparency or product traceability, providing criminals with operational anonymity, flexibility and mobility;
Under-resourced or non-existent specialist in-country law enforcement
Limited or no actionable slavery data due to poor or non-existent engagement of / collaboration with in-field civil society operatives and a lack of interoperability between global data silos.

This program is about the SlaveCheck ecosystem supporting the global law enforcement community to improve these metrics including:

Supporting in-field civil society operatives with mobile and desktop technologies to facilitate centralised coordination of slavery incident reports
Providing interoperability between global data silos
Applying AI to identify trends and triangulate victim identification using supply chain transparency and traceability data, in-field human intelligence and over 100 different sources of non-supply chain data
Law enforcement-guided Collective Intelligence campaigns across the SlaveCheck ecosystem to progressively develop solutions to problems and challenges as they arise.

PHASE 1: RESIN IN EAST AFRICA

OVERVIEW

Tanzania is rich in pine forests which have the potential to produce resin, which is a valuable commodity in high demand for a vast range of consumer and industrial products. In recent years, resin tapping in Tanzania has grown into a substantial commercial enterprise.

Workplace situations which involve human trafficking and/or forced labour have been discovered in Tanzania, which has fuelled concerns about fair wages, worker protections and potential risks throughout the resin value chain.

This project ensures transparency, decent working conditions, and equitable economic growth in resin value chain development. The methodology and outcomes of this initiative have significant applicability to other regions in Africa and globally, providing a scalable model for ethical supply-chain practices.

OBJECTIVE

The objective is to begin building transparency in global resin value chains by creating business, product and labour traceability, commencing within Tanzania. This will be achieved by:

Constructing a verifiable map of the Tanzanian resin value chain - from source to export-for businesses, resin products and the labour supply chain.
Identifying actual and potential labour-rights violations, emphasizing forced labour indicators, wage structures, occupational safety, and the right to organise.
Developing actionable recommendations for regulators, resin buyers and social partners that embed transparency and worker voice in future growth.

APPROACH

Participatory Research: Worker surveys, in-depth interviews, and focus groups.
Risk Assessment: Utilizing the ILO's forced labour indicators and OSH standards.
Stakeholder Workshops: Multi-stakeholder engagements to validate findings and foster collaborative solutions.

IMPACT

The project will culminate in a high-profile launch event in Tanzania, providing recognition opportunities for corporate supporters and engaging key stakeholders, including government ministries, international agencies, and media outlets. Project findings will gain visibility through publication in peer-reviewed journals and dissemination via regional and international union networks.

Additionally, actionable policy recommendations and practical guidance materials developed through the project will directly benefit corporate sustainability reporting.