A partnership of shared values and technical expertise
Sep 26, 2024
A Partnership Built on Shared Values
At the heart of Allies’ work with AnnieCannons is a shared commitment to empowering survivors and leveraging technology to combat human trafficking. AnnieCannons, a nonprofit organization that trains survivors of human trafficking and gender-based violence to become software developers, has partnered with Allies since 2020 to enhance and expand our Lighthouse software and data.
Laura Hackney, CEO of AnnieCannons, captures this synergy perfectly:
"As an organization that trains survivors as software engineers, we know the potential of data and technology to improve decisions, evaluate investments and programs, track survivor outcomes, increase prosecutions, and develop prevention strategies."
By working with AnnieCannons, we ensure that the development of Lighthouse is not just technically sound, but deeply informed by the lived experiences of survivors.
Harnessing the Power of Data and Technology
Lighthouse is the centerpiece of our collaboration with AnnieCannons and exemplifies how values, data, and technology can come together to create powerful solutions.
Through this partnership, AnnieCannons brings:
Skilled software developers with unique perspectives on the issues we're addressing
Expertise in designing and developing complex data platforms
A deep understanding of the technical requirements for our software and data
The impact of this partnership is evident in what we’ve achieved together:
Lighthouse has expanded from a single screening and data solution in Texas to a suite of offerings serving multiple state and national stakeholders
The platform provides a robust, secure and scalable environment for capturing, storing, and sharing critical human trafficking data
With Lighthouse, those on the front lines of the anti-trafficking movement have the information and insights they need to advance their work and make data-driven decisions
A Unique Approach to Anti-Trafficking Work
What makes our partnership with AnnieCannons truly unique in the anti-trafficking movement is our holistic approach to problem-solving. We're not just building technology—we're creating a new paradigm for how anti-trafficking work can be done.
Our approach combines:
Survivor empowerment: By working with AnnieCannons, we're not just creating solutions for survivors—we're creating them with survivors.
Data-driven insights: Lighthouse aggregates and analyzes data from multiple sources, providing a comprehensive view of trafficking trends.
Technological innovation: We're pushing the boundaries of what's possible with technology in the anti-trafficking space, creating tools that are both powerful and user-friendly.
This combination is rare in our field, and it's allowing us to make progress in ways that were previously unimaginable.
Looking to the Future
We are working towards a future where vulnerable communities can be screened and protected from human trafficking, where data-driven insights lead to more effective strategies, and where survivors play a central role in developing the technologies used to combat trafficking.
Our collaboration with AnnieCannons demonstrates the immense potential of innovative partnerships in the fight against human trafficking. In a field where the challenges can often seem overwhelming, our partnership shows that when we combine shared values, technological expertise, and a commitment to data-driven solutions, we can create tools and strategies that have a real, measurable impact on the lives of survivors and at-risk individuals.
We remain committed to the belief that technology, guided by compassion and informed by data, can be a powerful force for good in the fight against human trafficking. Together, Allies Against Slavery and AnnieCannons are not just fighting trafficking—we're reimagining what that fight can look like.
