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Wildlife trafficking is a global phenomenon posing many negative impacts on socio-environmental systems. Scientific exploration of wildlife trafficking trends and the impact of interventions is signifi-cantly encumbered by a suite of data reuse challenges. We describe a novel, open-access data directory on wildlife trafficking and a corresponding visualization tool that can be used to identify data for multiple purposes, such as exploring wildlife trafficking hotspots and convergence points with other crime, discovering key drivers or deterrents of wildlife trafficking, and uncovering structural patterns. Keyword searches, expert elicitation, and peer- reviewed publications were used to search for extant sources used by industry and non-profit organizations, as well as those leveraged to publish academic research articles. The open-access data direc-tory is designed to be a living document and searchable according to multiple measures. The directory can be instrumental in the data- driven analysis of unsustainable illegal wildlife trade, supply chain structure via link prediction models, the value of demand and supply reduction initiatives via multi-item knapsack problems, or trafficking behavior and transportation choices via network inter-diction problems.
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The Hidden and Misunderstood Problem of Familial Sex Trafficking of Minors in the United States
This scoping review identified existing evidence on familial sex trafficking of minors in the United States and analyzed the evidence to guide future interventions. Comprehensive searches across six databases found nine relevant articles, revealing a nascent and under-funded body of scholarship. Despite its relevance to human trafficking and child welfare, few articles were published in specialized journals. Further research is urgently needed to develop effective interventions that prevent and disrupt this form of child sexual exploitation.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2039584
- PAR ID:
- 10559702
- Publisher / Repository:
- Child Welfare League of America
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Child Welfare
- Volume:
- 102
- Issue:
- 2
- ISSN:
- 0289-6842
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 145-180
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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Abstract We have more data about wildlife trafficking than ever before, but it remains underutilized for decision-making. Central to effective wildlife trafficking interventions is collection, aggregation, and analysis of data across a range of source, transit, and destination geographies. Many data are geospatial, but these data cannot be effectively accessed or aggregated without appropriate geospatial data standards. Our goal was to create geospatial data standards to help advance efforts to combat wildlife trafficking. We achieved our goal using voluntary, participatory, and engagement-based workshops with diverse and multisectoral stakeholders, online portals, and electronic communication with more than 100 participants on three continents. The standards support data-to-decision efforts in the field, for example indictments of key figures within wildlife trafficking, and disruption of their networks. Geospatial data standards help enable broader utilization of wildlife trafficking data across disciplines and sectors, accelerate aggregation and analysis of data across space and time, advance evidence-based decision making, and reduce wildlife trafficking.more » « less
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