Securus Partners with In Our Backyard to Combat Trafficking Amidst Event-Driven Risk

  • 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.

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.

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.