Digital tool helps uk police identify sex trafficking victims

A new digital system developed to combat sex trafficking is supporting police in safeguarding victims and launching investigations across the UK.

The Sexual Trafficking Identification Matrix (STIM), developed by the University of Sheffield and partners, analyses online adult services adverts to help distinguish victims of trafficking.

Thames Valley Police, one of 16 UK forces using the tool, confirmed that STIM has helped initiate five active investigations, led to over 40 visits to potential trafficking sites, and resulted in dozens of individuals being safeguarded.

Detective Inspector Ben Henley explained the tool’s value:

"One of the main challenges we had was that we were reliant on victims coming forward, which was, unfortunately, very rare. So the STIM has been really beneficial for us."

The tool analyses language, imagery, and other elements of online adverts to assess risk.

While STIM does not replace human judgement, it significantly reduces the burden of manually reviewing thousands of listings.

Dr Xavier L’Hoiry, from the University of Sheffield, said:

"Previously, organisations would need to look through thousands of adverts online manually, which can take a massive toll on those doing the work.

The STIM still relies on human intervention but it aims to make the risk assessment process much quicker and straightforward."

STIM is now in use by two UK charities, four international police forces, and the Danish Centre Against Human Trafficking. It has also been identified as a model of “national best practice”.

However, the tool is not without criticism.

Concerns have been raised that STIM may flag so-called 'sex workers' as potential victims, increasing their risk of unwarranted police attention or arrest.

Supporters argue that, with appropriate oversight, the tool strengthens anti-trafficking efforts by enabling police to act proactively, rather than waiting for victims to self-identify—something that rarely happens due to fear, coercion, or lack of trust in authorities.

The use of STIM highlights the growing role of technology in addressing human trafficking, which remains a serious and often hidden crime across the UK and beyond.

"We’ve utilised the STIM to score over 128 online adverts," said DI Henley. "This has resulted in 40 visits being conducted at locations, with dozens of individuals safeguarded."