Ending Sex Trafficking in Australia: Can We Stop It?

$4,020
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  • $4,020
    pledged
  • 100%
    funded
  • 12
    days left

About This Project

Sex trafficking in the Australia is a critical issue. This project aims to disrupt the economic foundations of trafficking through a design thinking approach. By addressing the socio-economic and geopolitical factors that sustain trafficking, the project seeks to create effective strategies to reduce its prevalence. The research focuses on understanding these dynamics to inform policy recommendations and provide a holistic approach to combatting sex trafficking.

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What is the context of this research?

The inspiration for this research question stems from a deep concern about the pervasive issue of sex trafficking in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in Australia. Observations of the growing complexity of trafficking networks, coupled with the widespread exploitation of vulnerable populations, highlighted the need for innovative solutions. This concern is further supported by existing research that underscores the severity and multifaceted nature of sex trafficking.

What is the significance of this project?

This project is significant because it introduces an innovative approach to combating sex trafficking in the Asia-Pacific region by disrupting the economic foundations of trafficking networks. Through interdisciplinary collaboration with experts in victimology, law enforcement, and design thinking, it seeks to create practical, scalable solutions. The project targets the root causes of trafficking, addresses its broader geopolitical implications, and prioritizes victim-centered strategies, making it a critical contribution to regional and global anti-trafficking efforts.

What are the goals of the project?

The project aims to develop an innovative business model to disrupt the economic foundations of sex trafficking in the Asia-Pacific region. By collaborating with experts in victimology, law enforcement, and design thinking, it seeks to create effective, practical solutions. The project will analyze the socio-economic and geopolitical impacts of sex trafficking to inform policy recommendations and prioritize victim-centered strategies that empower survivors and reduce trafficking. It also aims to create scalable, replicable solutions for broader use in anti-trafficking efforts.

Budget

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The budget for this project is essential to facilitate the design thinking workshops planned to be held in Canberra at Charles Sturt University. These workshops will bring together experts in victimology, the Australian Federal Police, Border Force, and other relevant stakeholders. The funding will support the design activities integral to the Greater Reach project, which will be led by Associate Professor Amber McKinley and Professor Cara Wrigley. This support is crucial for ensuring the successful execution and impact of the project.

Endorsed by

Sex trafficking is without doubt one of the most abhorrent and inhumane criminal activities in society today. As with any criminal activity, its perpetrators treat it as a business based on the principles of supply and demand, where their victims are seen as nothing more than disposable commodities. Traditional enforcement efforts to stop this crime are ineffective and there is a clear need to explore new approaches. This initiative, which seeks to disrupt the economic foundations of sex trafficking is to be applauded and worthy of our support.
This is a critical study to develop interventions against a hideous scourge on society. Hundreds of thousands of the most vulnerable in our world are vulnerable to this often invisible trade. Be the voice who stands up to the crimes against these victims. This project to dismantle organised human trafficaking deserves your compassion.

Project Timeline

The project will start by finalizing participant recruitment and securing funding, both essential to avoid delays. Once these are in place, the team will prepare materials and frameworks for a design thinking workshop at Charles Sturt University, where collaboration with experts will focus on developing solutions. After the workshop, analyzing outcomes will be crucial for finalizing and disseminating recommendations. The success of this project relies on these steps being executed effectively.

Sep 11, 2024

Project Launched

Nov 28, 2024

Design Thinking Workshop

Meet the Team

Cara Wrigley
Cara Wrigley
Professor

Affiliates

University of Queensland
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Amber McKinley
Amber McKinley
Associate Professor

Affiliates

Charles Sturt University
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Team Bio

The project team is led by Associate Professor Amber McKinley, a Clinical and Forensic Victimologist focusing on victimology and crime research, and Professor Cara Wrigley, an expert in Design Innovation. McKinley leads the victimological aspects, while Wrigley focuses on developing innovative business models through design thinking. Together, they combine expertise in victim-centered research and innovative strategies to disrupt sex trafficking networks.

Cara Wrigley

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cara_Wrigley

Dr Cara Wrigley is currently Professor of Design within the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology at The University of Queensland. She was the inaugural Director of the Queensland Defence Science Alliance. Prior to this appointment she was the Jericho Chair of Design Innovation at The University of Sydney, leading an interdisciplinary research group sponsored by the Royal Australian Air Force. This multi-million-dollar engagement brought together the Australian Defence Force and world-leading researchers to investigate the role that design plays in the creation of disruptive technologies for military capability.

Amber McKinley

https://bjbs.csu.edu.au/school...

Associate Professor Amber McKinley (BLibS, MCJ, PhD) is a Clinical and Forensic Victimologist at Charles Sturt University’s, Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security (AGSPS). She coordinates and lectures in theoretical, applied, and forensic victimology as well as global human trafficking. Amber works with state coroners, the Australian Defence Force, the Australian Federal Police, the New South Wales Police Force, the Centre of Customs and excise and Border Force. Her current research includes: the role of women as offenders in human trafficking; the correlation of excessive pornography usage and intimate partner violence; explaining the decline in serial homicide events in Australia; Temporal Aspect of Adult Homicide in Australia, as well as two books on homicide and sexual exploitation via human trafficking.

Lab Notes

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