In the News

New research provides important information on Nebraska’s commercial sex industry and trafficking

Law enforcement and service agencies have known sex trafficking is a significant problem in Nebraska. But detailed research and information has been lacking, until now. Mike Tobias shares what Creighton University researchers have learned about the scope of the crime.…

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Report on Trafficking has “Shock Factor”

Findings of the “Nebraska’s Commercial Sex Market” report will be presented at a hearing Thursday on Legislative Bill 289, a measure introduced by Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln that would raise penalties for sex trafficking.

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Commercial Sex Industry “Deeply Embedded” In Reno, Says Report

So the Human Trafficking Initiative is a grant-based project. We are a team of data scientists at Creighton University. What we do is we try to find the scope of sex trafficking across the United States and also we look…

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Fighting Human Trafficking One Step at a Time

The study, conducted through the Heider College of Business at Creighton University, looked at one website, Backpage.com, which primarily features ads for “escorts.”

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Sex Trafficking In Small Towns: ‘It Happens Virtually Anywhere’

Commercial-sex-industry research by Creighton University’s Human Trafficking Initiative found 900 people are sold for sex each month in Nebraska.

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Local agencies begin to put puzzle pieces together to help sex trafficking victims

Research conducted by the Human Trafficking Initiative at the Heider College of Business at Creighton University revealed that 900 people are sold for sex every month in Nebraska.

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Our Words

The Importance of Criminal Record Relief for Trafficking Survivors

Trafficking victims are often arrested, tried, and convicted for crimes they didn’t choose to commit. In fact, more than 90% of sex trafficking survivors reported being arrested for crimes related to their trafficking, such as prostitution, drugs, theft, or unlawfully…

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The Graduated Screening Process

Identification of situations of violence & exploitation is a major challenge for service providers yet it is incredibly important in order to connect victims to the services that they need. Traditionally, organizations either rely on self-identification of instances of trafficking,…

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The History of PAVE

Identifying situation of human trafficking is a major challenge, and changing a broken system can feel impossible. However, both are critical in order for survivors to get access to the help they deserve. Back in 2016, the Nebraska Human Trafficking…

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Intersections of Human Trafficking & the Commercial Sex Industry

Not all commercial sex activity is sex trafficking, but all sex trafficking takes place within the commercial sex industry (indeed, it’s the portion of the industry that involves a lack of consent). This is why it is important and relevant…

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CINA Distinguished Speaker Series: Crysta Price – “Finding Trafficking Networks in Commercial Sex Ads”

Crysta Price from HTI Labs and Creighton University discusses human trafficking, including a case walkthrough that describes how data analytics, AI, and collaboration with law enforcement agencies led to the dismantling of a large international sex trafficking organization... Watch the…

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May 2020 Fundraiser Video

  [embed]https://vimeo.com/420053084[/embed] To Donate to HTI Labs: Because our mission falls within IRS guidelines, tax-deductible donations can be made through the Omaha Community Foundation. Please visit omahafoundation.org/donate and select "Other Funds" under the Categories drop down menu in order to find the…

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Join us in the fight against sex trafficking and domestic & sexual violence.

As we all struggle to find a sense of normalcy in today’s world, the mission of HTI Labs has remained consistent – we are committed to fighting sex trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual assault through the development of data-driven research…

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