Securus Partners with In Our Backyard to Combat Trafficking Amidst Event-Driven Risk
Event summary
- Securus Technologies and In Our Backyard (IOB) collaborated to prevent human trafficking during a large-scale sporting event in Santa Clara, California.
- The initiative involved training 250 law enforcement officers, service providers, and volunteers, and distributing 10,000 Missing Children Booklets.
- IOB recovered 73 victims and generated 65 investigative leads during the operational period.
- The partnership has existed for over eight years, focusing on building lasting regional capacity and utilizing a survivor-informed curriculum.
The big picture
Securus Technologies' involvement in anti-human trafficking initiatives highlights a growing trend of corporations leveraging technology and partnerships to address social issues and mitigate event-driven risks. This strategy may be driven by increasing stakeholder pressure for corporate social responsibility and a desire to proactively manage reputational risk associated with large-scale public gatherings. The collaboration also underscores the increasing recognition of human trafficking as a predictable crime, requiring proactive prevention and intervention measures.
What we're watching
- Scalability
- The success of this localized initiative raises questions about Securus’ ability to replicate this model across its 1,800 corrections agencies, and whether the ROI justifies the investment.
- Regulatory Scrutiny
- Increased focus on human trafficking prevention may lead to stricter regulatory oversight of Securus' operations and partnerships, potentially impacting its business practices.
- Partnership Risk
- Securus' reliance on IOB for specialized expertise introduces partnership risk; any disruption to the collaboration could significantly impact the effectiveness of its anti-trafficking efforts.
