5,712
In 2016, there were 5,712 reports of missing American Indian and Alaska Native women and girls.
10x
Indigenous Women (girls +) are murdered at 10x the rate of any other ethnicity.
Mapping Human Trafficking Networks in the Americas
In 2025, the Traverse Project will launch TRACE, an initiative aimed at quantifying the human trafficking crisis and mapping the criminal networks profiting from it. Our team will collaborate closely with law enforcement, analyzing both active and historical cases. We've developed a scalable process that will equip policymakers with concrete data, revealing trends and patterns essential for enhancing awareness and providing actionable intelligence for effective interdiction.
As we identify target networks, the Traverse Project will work alongside law enforcement and international partners to formulate strategies that disrupt financial flows, facilitate victim rescue, and ensure trafficker prosecution. This comprehensive approach promises significant strides in combatting human trafficking on a global scale.
TASK FORCE RED HAND
In 2024, the Traverse Project initiated Task Force RED HAND, a public/private partnership dedicated to addressing the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) crisis. This partnership unites nonprofits, law enforcement, corporations, and educational institutions in a collaborative effort to tackle violence against Indigenous persons. Task Force RED HAND operates on three core pillars: enhancing community vigilance through education and awareness, boosting law enforcement capabilities with advanced technical and forensic tools, and prioritizing survivor care and recovery processes.
This strategic collaboration is vital in equipping tribal law enforcement with previously inaccessible resources, thus strengthening their ability to investigate and resolve cases effectively. Particularly beneficial for Indigenous women, who are disproportionately affected by human trafficking, the initiative addresses significant challenges such as jurisdictional complexities and underreporting of crimes. Task Force RED HAND exemplifies the power of multi-sector partnerships in solving critical social issues by fostering sustainable change and supporting Indigenous communities in protecting their members and securing justice.
$346.7B
human trafficking fueled $346.7 billion in illicit cash flow in 2023.
Source: 2024 Global Financial Crime Report - NASDAQ
$173B
sex trafficking alone accounts for $173 Billion
Source: International Labour Organization