Fighting human trafficking with data

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By Chanchorney CHEA

Junior Research Fellow

Future Forum's junior research fellow, Chanchorney CHEA, has published a new commentary on Fighting human trafficking with data. Check out the full article below!

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Can we fight human trafficking with data in the future?

If only we had a Cambodia where trafficking data were accessible on a single platform with clear visualizations. It's not just about presenting numbers but using them to inform and protect people.

The context of data on human trafficking

For four consecutive years (2022-2025), the US Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report has categorized Cambodia as “Tier 3,” the lowest ranking for compliance with anti-trafficking efforts. In response, Chou Bun Eng, a Secretary of State of the Ministry of Interior and Vice-Chairwoman of the National Committee for Counter Trafficking (NCCT), said the report does not “reflect the real situation in which Cambodia has sought to crack down on human trafficking in all its forms.”

In 2025, NCCT reported police arrested 209 human trafficking suspects (15 female; 17 foreigners: 13 Chinese, 4 Thai), rescued 609 victims (247 female), and sent 63 to social services. These statistics exclude the rise in scam-related cases.

The media often covers crackdowns but rarely gives the full picture. In July 2025, Khmer Times reported a crackdown on 52 online scam compounds that targeted 2,767 suspects. It's unclear whether 'suspects' refers to perpetrators or victims. In 2026, another 4,000 'foreigners' were arrested. Such reports omit how many were victims or perpetrators, what support was provided, or case outcomes.

Human trafficking data requires input from law enforcement, the judiciary, and social services. Cambodia still lacks a centralized, automated data system with visualization to show the overall situation.

Public access to TIP data is still limited. Sensitive data, like forced scamming, mainly comes from civil society or independent groups. USAID’s Cambodia Counter Trafficking in Persons Project estimates at least 150,000 forced scammers in Cambodia. Studies such as Jacob Sims' have proposed targeted sanctions, prompting careful government responses.

Given these complications, it becomes even more important to understand how the government is structuring its long-term response. The NCCT released its new five-year strategic plan for 2024-2028 and, in February 2026, published a national Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework, supported by ASEAN-ACT. Their national counter-trafficking plan, interestingly, values the MEL approach to assess its implementation effectiveness, with a clear framework in place.

But what if there is a better and smarter way?

We can offer a more efficient tool: data, delivered via a central visualization system.

Envision a Cambodia where clear, consolidated information on human trafficking replaces lengthy reports and scattered news coverage.

Then imagine a single, centralized platform that has data on initial arrests (by police), convictions (by courts), and victim support (by social service providers) for everyone, from policymakers and NGOs to journalists and the general public. Such a regularly updated system would not only improve coordination among government agencies themselves but also foster public trust and ensure that efforts to address trafficking are effective and responsive in real time.

Looking beyond Cambodia, under the regional initiative, the ASEAN-Australia Counter Trafficking program (ASEAN-ACT) maintains a portal of resources that compiles research and reports on human trafficking in Southeast Asia. Thailand, which has recently had a border conflict with Cambodia, has a government public dashboard for human trafficking. Indonesia has a real-time data visualization website, but it mainly focuses on violence against women and children, and has a comprehensive case tracking information system for TIP cases. Freedom Collaborative, supported by USAID, also has a data spotlight on trafficking for forced criminality and a global data dashboard. Cambodia does not yet have such a platform in place.

Why does data visualization matter?

According to the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), “the return on cyber scamming in Cambodia is estimated—by multiplying a conservative estimate of 100,000 laborers thought to raise an average of $350 per person per day times the number of days in a year—to exceed $12.5 billion annually, which is equivalent to nearly half the country’s formal GDP.” 

Scamming is estimated to be as much as 60% of Cambodia’s formal GDP. The cybercrime illustrates intricate links between these operations and economic exploitation, urging us to take action against this pressing issue. As scams grow with technology, data can be a smart solution to fight back.

A public data dashboard would be a step toward transparency. Though Cambodia has yet to pass an access-to-information law, a simple database can help foster openness. It would also provide evidence of progress for TIP Report reviews and help counter the “Scambodia” image by showing that cases are being tracked seriously.

Public data visualization helps identify gaps and trends, such as changes in victim profiles or trafficking flows across provinces in Cambodia, enabling timely, targeted responses.

Initiatives, such as Amnesty and Cyber Scam Monitor, have already tracked Cambodia’s scam compounds and their locations. This rich data, for example, provides a strong foundation to transform raw figures into clear visualizations. The real challenge lies in getting government validation to publish such sensitive information.

A 2025 study found ASEAN-ACT’s M&E system, though ideal, is limited by resources, technical capacity, operational focuses, and politics. Data visualization needs investment for lasting results.

Building a victim-sensitive data system

Creating a data visualization system starts with the right indicators, such as trafficking case types and sex-disaggregated victim data. ASEAN-ACT already includes these in its regional toolkit, and ACWC published a guide for victim-sensitive, gender-aware monitoring. Localizing these resources can build a system suited for Cambodia.

Data collection must be accurate and up to date. Clear definitions and consistent terms are crucial. Both NCCT's 2024 and 2025 reports found defining 'victim' and 'suspected victim' challenging, affecting data quality. Training staff and partners on standards and victim identification is essential in all trafficking sectors, including scamming.

Equally important is protecting personal information. A good data system has to prioritize survivors’ privacy and safety, avoiding details that could reveal a person’s identity.

So how can we begin?

Due to the complexity of making it happen, the first initial rollout could be modest. We can develop a data visualization system in collaboration with universities, think tanks, or research organizations, using data from the government and relevant stakeholders, after defining the right, well-defined indicators. Once the system is tested and refined, it could gradually expand nationwide.

Begin with a focused scope that involves all relevant actors at each level from the start. If effective, this method could inspire similar data-driven systems for other sectors. An optimal solution is a national platform displaying all ministries’ key data.

We cannot fight what we cannot see. An accessible data visualization with clear, standardized indicators empowers us to act swiftly, protect more effectively, and drive meaningful change.

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