Fighting Human Trafficking: From Fragmented Efforts to Systemic Action
Event Description
Human trafficking and modern slavery remain deeply entrenched global challenges, intersecting with gender inequality, child protection, organized crime, and weak rule of law. Despite significant efforts, progress is often fragmented, with limited coordination, data sharing, and sustained investment.
This discussion explores how to move toward more connected, system-level responses. What would it take to better align data, partnerships, and funding to prevent trafficking, support survivors, and strengthen justice systems? How can we identify the highest-impact opportunities for intervention, from frontline services to tackling the financial flows that enable exploitation?
We will also examine the role of survivor-centered approaches, particularly in empowering women and girls, and how these can inform more effective and humane systems. The session will explore how anti-trafficking efforts can be strengthened through cross-sector collaboration, from law enforcement and policy to civil society and philanthropy.
This is a space to rethink how the movement can evolve, from isolated initiatives to coordinated strategies capable of addressing the root causes and global scale of the problem.
Speakers
Aaron Harrington is Major Gift Officer at Love Justice International, scaling anti-trafficking efforts to disrupt exploitation across multiple countries.
Emily Trinder works in Program Development at Courage Worldwide, supporting initiatives to address exploitation and support vulnerable communities.
Victor Boutros is CEO of the Human Trafficking Institute, with a background in law, prosecution, and global anti-trafficking efforts.
Discussion Questions
What are the biggest gaps in current efforts to combat human trafficking and modern slavery?
How can data, partnerships, and funding be better aligned to increase impact?
What role do financial systems and illicit flows play in enabling trafficking, and how can they be addressed?
How can survivor-led approaches shape more effective prevention, protection, and justice systems?
Location & access
Accessibility matters deeply to us, and we do our best to choose spaces that reflect that. That said, some of our Oxford venues are in historic buildings without lifts. This room is unfortunately not accessible for wheelchair users, those with mobility challenges, or anyone needing step-free access.