Measuring the Magnitude and Traits of Local Consumer Demand for Sex Trafficking

Transaction Intercept (TI) leverages artificial intelligence to engage individuals responding to online ads for the commercial sexual exploitation of minors. The interactions between TI bots and those clicking on decoy ads generate data, including the number of distinct individuals that respond to ads over any timeframe, the number of active sex buyers identified, the features of the ads and digital personas that buyers have responded to, and the outcome of the interactions. During development, TI has already been deployed in dozens of U.S jurisdictions and collected data allows for cross-site comparisons. The technology was created for law enforcement agencies, and its deployment quickly provides measures of the scope and traits of local consumer-level demand for the sex trafficking of children within any defined jurisdiction. The data resulting from TI are directly relevant for local sex trafficking resource needs assessments and to advocate for effective state laws and policies.