Impact | Canary

BUILDING THE FUTURE CHILDREN DESERVE

In our future, no child is lost in the digital shadows of sexual exploitation. We’re proud to share our impact to-date, but we refuse to stop until every child is seen and safe.

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Since 2014, Spotlight has empowered first responders to identify 8 victims of juvenile sex tracking per day.

28,459

Children
Identified

28,926

traffickers
IDENTIFIED

24

HOURS of work
saved per week

As we grow our tools and resources beyond Spotlight, we have an opportunity to multiply our impact to protect more children.

Jada

Jada* was 17 years old when she was reported missing and suspected to be held captive by an armed trafficker forcing her into exploitation.

When investigators recovered Jada, her detailed testimony was a lifeline. She spoke of being trafficked at local hotels, transported by the suspect, and the terror of her captivity. But as harrowing as her story was, it needed corroboration.

This is where Spotlight proved essential. Investigators used the tool to confirm Jada’s testimony; they located the online ads in which she was advertised and linked them to the suspect. This digital evidence supported her account and helped secure a conviction. - Alameda Police Department, CA

*Names and identifying details have been changed to protect victim privacy

Mae

Mae, a 16-year old, was recruited into sex trafficking outside of her high school campus. The 25-year-old trafficker then trafficked her throughout California and Nevada.

Using Spotlight, investigators were able to track their movements and collaborate with local jurisdictions to locate evidence along the way and plan to recover Mae.

Mae was ultimately recovered before she was taken by her trafficker to exploit her further 7 hours away. When she was recovered, investigators found that her trafficker was violent and got her addicted to drugs.
Spotlight played a role in bolstering the prosecution and the trafficker is now facing a life sentence. - San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, CA

*Names and identifying details have been changed to protect victim privacy

Sofia

In April 2025, Michigan State Police received a tip that Sofia, a 17-year-old, was being trafficked in Metro Detroit. Investigators quickly worked to identify her using her images to search Spotlight, where they uncovered multiple ads for her posted in local hotels.

Following the digital trail, investigators went to one of the hotels and gathered critical information about her trafficker. Within days of the initial tip, Sofia was safely recovered, and the suspect who was a repeat trafficking offender out on parole, was arrested.

Spotlight played a key role in helping investigators confirm Sofia’s identity, locate her quickly, and bring a trafficker back into custody. - Michigan State Police, MI
As we grow our tools and resources beyond Spotlight, we have an opportunity to multiply our impact to protect more children.

*Names and identifying details have been changed to protect victim privacy

Learn More About Spotlight

“Without SPOTLIGHT I would not be able to be nearly as effective at my job. It truly makes a difference in helping us save lives and bring justice to the ones who need it.”

Vice Detective & Corporal

California

“Due to the complex nature of these cases, this tool allows you to cast a net to try and identify victims, disrupt illicit activity, and prosecute buyers and traffickers. Instead of trying to manually search for ads, try and identify carriers of the numbers used, and or try and find other identifiers needed for your cases, this tool streamlines the process which saves time when there are already not enough resources in most jurisdictions.”

Detective

Oregon

“Spotlight speeds the process of locating and recovering victims. It lessens the time of a person's victimization because of how fast Spotlight is able to provide answers.”

Captain, Human Trafficking

Arizona

We can do more

Now, we are working to amplify our impact.

We are building on the power of innovative tools, connecting data with frontline responders, driving research, developing new technologies, and collaborating with partners to recover and safeguard children from all forms of online sexual exploitation.

Every improvement strengthens our ability to turn digital signals into actionable intelligence, finding children faster and ensuring every victim has a chance to reclaim safety, dignity, and hope.

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