The Scientia Program is designed to stand at the forefront of the fight against human trafficking, effectively identifying, investigating, and prosecuting trafficking cases while disrupting threat networks. The program is focused on forging strong partnerships and enhancing collective capabilities through intelligence and resource sharing, advanced training, the implementation of innovative technologies, and operational collaboration. It ...
Global Counter-Trafficking Group Limited
The Scientia Program
GOAL
$100,000
Australia
Field of Interest
- International aid and development
- Social inclusion and justice
Target Population
- People experiencing socio-economic disadvantage or vulnerability
- General population
Global Counter-Trafficking Group Limited
Global Counter-Trafficking Group (GCG) is an Australian-based, global counter-trafficking not-for-profit organisation (ABN: 67 673 793 809) dedicated to protecting vulnerable people from exploitation.
Our vision is to see resilient counter human-trafficking systems protecting people from exploitation.
GCG's model is to drive collaboration and enhanced capabilities through local partnership networks (evaluated through six pillars of network health) to disrupt human trafficking, and protect people at risk of being bought, sold and exploited for profit.
GCG invests in the following services that support local partners to:
• Drive collaboration – We support on-the-ground counter trafficking activities by providing operational coordination through the introduction of collaboration systems that initiate prevention, share intelligence, initiate cases, and standardise best practice.
• Increase capabilities - We train and empower local partners to improve the detection, reporting, investigation and prosecution of human trafficking and child exploitation, with a focus on capability uplift in industry leading technologies; for example digital forensics, dark web and ad tech exploitation, Open Source Intelligence and peer-to-peer network exploitation.
• Disrupt threat networks - We enable local law enforcement and NGO partners to conduct network mapping, effects planning and disruption operations that impact human trafficking networks and prevent further exploitation.
GCG has programs with an operational reach across Southeast Asia, with headquarters in Bangkok and Sydney, with enduring program presence in Thailand and targeted activities conducted across our broader area of operations in the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Cambodia on an ad-hoc and as required basis.
Project Summary
The Scientia Program is designed to stand at the forefront of the fight against human trafficking, effectively identifying, investigating, and prosecuting trafficking cases while disrupting threat networks. The program is focused on forging strong partnerships and enhancing collective capabilities through intelligence and resource sharing, advanced training, the implementation of innovative technologies, and operational collaboration.
It has been in operation since July 2022 and has seven NGO partners (based in Thailand, operating across the region) and four Thai law enforcement partners. In addition, the Scientia operating network now has a number of regional and international relationships with NGOs, global law enforcement and the private sector who are turning to the Scientia Program as a critical node in counter-trafficking and child exploitation in Southeast Asia.
Project Outcomes
1. Establish the Victim Identification and Safety Through Analysis (VISTA) Hub.
The VISTA Hub is a critical solution for combating online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC) and other forms of human trafficking because it centralises the expertise, resources, and intelligence of multiple agencies, including law enforcement, child protection, cybersecurity, and NGOs.
By facilitating real-time information sharing and collaboration, the centre allows for rapid identification of offenders, tracking of digital footprints, and swift interventions to rescue or protect victims. Its specialised focus on cybercrime and child exploitation, combined with flexibility to adapt to evolving technologies, ensures a comprehensive and coordinated approach.
2. The creation of a centralised Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) database in Thailand.
The CSAM Database is essential to effectively combat online child exploitation, as there is currently no mechanism to collect, manage, and analyse CSAM data.
This database will centralise and standardise information from multiple sources, allowing for more efficient tracking of offenders, identification of victims, and analysis of exploitation patterns. By connecting to global databases, it will enhance Thailand’s ability to participate in cross-border investigations and disrupt transnational networks.
3. Train the Trainer Program
The creation of a "Train the Trainer" program is crucial for building a sustainable national capability in Thailand to combat the online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC). By equipping local law enforcement, intelligence officers, and cybersecurity experts with the skills to detect OSEC cases, identify victims, and initiate investigations, the program ensures a consistent and scalable approach to tackling this crime.
Budget Breakdown
TOTAL BUDGET: $2,700,000
FUNDING
| Funding source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Family Offices and Foundations | $1,050,000 |
EXPENSES
| Expense item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Victim Identification and Safety Through Analysis (VISTA) Hub | $1,350,000 |
| Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) database | $900,000 |
| Train the Trainer Program | $450,000 |
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