Allies Against Slavery

Allies Against Slavery is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization dedicated to combating human trafficking and modern slavery. Founded in 2010, it operates with a mission to build slave-free cities through community engagement, strategic partnerships, and data-driven solutions.

History and Development

The organization was established in Austin, Texas, by a group of citizens aiming to address the issue of modern slavery in their community. Initially, it functioned as a volunteer-led initiative but was later incorporated as a nonprofit in 2014. This transition marked a significant step in expanding its capacity to tackle complex issues related to human trafficking.

Mission and Approach

Allies Against Slavery works towards creating a future where human trafficking is visible and preventable. It achieves this goal by leveraging data to inform and empower various stakeholders, including law enforcement, healthcare providers, schools, and policymakers. Their approach emphasizes strong partnerships across different sectors to drive systemic change.

Key Programs and Initiatives

• Data-Driven Solutions: Allies Against Slavery employs advanced data analytics to identify trafficking patterns, predict potential hotspots, and provide actionable insights to professionals. Their Lighthouse platform aggregates diverse data sources, facilitating a more cohesive response to trafficking.
• Screening Tools: The organization offers validated screening tools to identify youth at risk of human trafficking, supporting intervention and prevention efforts.
• Research and Policy: Allies Against Slavery conducts research and supports evidence-based policy initiatives to enhance prevention, prosecution, and protection efforts against trafficking.

Impact

Since its inception, Allies Against Slavery has made significant strides in combating human trafficking. It has:

• Identified Thousands of Potential Victims: Over 18,000 potential victims have been identified since 2017.
• Collaborated with Hundreds of Partners: The organization has worked with over 200 partners, empowering thousands of field professionals with critical tools and insights.
• Influenced Policy: Allies has analyzed numerous state anti-trafficking policies and supported data-driven legislative reforms.

Values

The organization is guided by several key values:

• Justice: Pursuing justice for exploited individuals.
• Community: Grounding solutions in local contexts.
• Dignity: Honoring the inherent worth of survivors and stakeholders.
• Innovation: Encouraging creative problem-solving.
• Integrity: Striving for trustworthiness in all endeavors.
• Collaboration: Seeking collective impact through shared successes.

By combining community engagement with innovative data solutions, Allies Against Slavery seeks to dismantle the systemic structures that allow human trafficking to persist in the United States.