Data integration from open internet sources and network detection to combat underage sex trafficking

Abstract

Victims of sex trafficking are compelled into sexual exploitation by the use of coercion, deception or fraud, and often find themselves forced into a situation of imprisonment and slavery. This form of human trafficking is a serious felony and law enforcement agents have active ongoing work to combat such crimes, with especial focus on under-age sexual trafficking. Sexual exploitation from traffickers can be often masked as services such as classified ads and escort and massage services (EMS) on the Internet. In this paper, we describe the prototype of a law enforcement support system that aims to make daily extractions of online data, filter relevant information, find hidden patterns and display relevant leads to law enforcement agents. The system uses information retrieval and integration, natural language processing, image analysis, and data linking techniques to allow various forms of relevant information visualization for supporting the combat of sex trafficking. It has been used by law enforcement agencies on specific occasions, and is being developed to suit certain operational needs.