Guardian Group: 2024 Third Quarter Impact Report
188 VICTIMS IDENTIFIED
to date in 2024
So often we are asked why we do not share more about the victims we identify and the cases surrounding them. Once our law enforcement partners download the Publicly Available Information Report (PAIR) we create and take action it becomes an open investigation. Most often we, as a non-law enforcement entity, cannot be updated in order to protect the case. The judicial system is also painfully slow, meaning it can take years to hear anything.
This quarter we are happy to share a little more because on August 26, 2024, Amir Walker was sentenced for trafficking here Oregon. Guardian Group’s involvement in this day of operational support, back in 2021, consisted of virtually passing PAIR reports with information regarding suspected trafficking victims. Ultimately it was the law enforcement officers on the ground that had the burden of identifying those responsible for the trafficking of victims and District Attorney’s to prosecute the case to eventually deliver a guilty charge over three years later.
Congrats to the Oregon City Police Department and all other agencies on the Clackamas County Human Trafficking Multi Disciplinary Team!
The 188 victims were identified in the 23 blue states.
Over 1650 INVESTIGATIVE HOURS
From both Guardian Group’s internal Analysis Team and Project 1591’s volunteer force to date in 2024.
We are thrilled to announce a new addition to our arsenal in the fight against human trafficking. Prospector™, created by volunteer, Andrew Campi. Prospector™ is an advanced OSINT tool developed specifically for our internal Analysis Team and the Project 1591® program. The tool sifts through the vast amount of online data, enabling our analysts to more efficiently identify potential victims.
“It’s volunteers like Mr. Campi that help us recognize the power of technology to cut through the white noise throughout the internet. He completed our volunteer training and gained access to Project 1591. He quickly realized the work wasn’t within his wheelhouse and that he felt he had a unique skillset to help us in a different way, having seen the sheer volume of what our internal Analysis Team and other volunteers are up against daily. He proceeded to build a proprietary tool for us and we are forever grateful for his work. It will definitely impact our support to law enforcement and more importantly help us find those potential victims quicker” said Guardian Group COO.
The impact of Prospector™ on our operations has been immediate and substantial. Currently, this tool has increased our analysts’ capacity by 100%, allowing them to focus more of their valuable time on in-depth investigations of the most promising leads. Looking ahead, we’re excited that with upcoming improvements, Prospector™ will boost our capacity by an impressive 200%. Thank you Andrew for your expertise, professionalism, and dedication in developing this crucial tool. We look forward to continuing working with you.
Active U.S. Law Enforcement partners in 30 states
166 CERTIFIED VOLUNTEERS
During the last quarter we have added an additional 11 skilled volunteers to the Project 1591 platform. We are pleased to share that we have made some significant and necessary updates to the Project 1591 platform. Some of the new features will make things easier on the admin side as we vet volunteer submissions but the majority of the updates will improve the user experience.
The Project 1591® certified volunteer force spans across the globe,
they are highlighted by the red states and located in 10 additional countries.
OTHER GUARDIAN GROUP UPDATES
This quarter the Operation IFAST (Internet Service Providers Fight Against Sex Trafficking) initiative was launched on the national level by the NTCA Rural Broadband Association. The internet was created for good and the ISP community has recognized that it is being used for unthinkable evil. They are stepping into the fight by training their employees, connecting their local law enforcement to Guardian Group’s resources and raising funds and awareness for the work we are doing.
Team 1591 is inspired by the law that protects children from being sold. If you believe people are not products join the team today and make a difference across the nation!
Together we are changing the trajectory of domestic sex trafficking. Together, we can end human trafficking.