VULN

Many issues facing human trafficking survivors are due to policymakers and the public not understanding the underlying causes of trafficking. One reason for this is because trafficking stories are usually told by non-survivors with a salacious, sensationalized lens. At its core, human trafficking is the exploitation of vulnerabilities. VULN will use interactive storytelling with trafficking survivors from around the world to help educate the public and policymakers on the root causes of trafficking and how to address these gaps with effective, trauma-informed, and survivor-centered solutions.

When I think about what I had to do to survive being trafficked as a kid, I think of an end of the world videogame and the desperate measures I had to resort to. I think of the vulnerabilities that led me to being trafficked. And I think of all the trafficking survivors who have not physically survived. VULN will help the public understand the root causes of trafficking, and will help cultivate empathy for trafficking survivors' needs with a fun, interactive design.

VULN is an interactive open map survival style videogame designed and built by survivors of human trafficking as a tool for education on trafficking issues for the public and policymakers. VULN will use dynamic storytelling to help non-survivors understand how traffickers prey upon vulnerabilities –– many of which are artificially created by the very policies, programs, and intervention projects that are intended to help. At its core, trafficking is the exploitation of vulnerabilities, and VULN will help the public understand this while decreasing the harmful salacious, sensationalized ways in which stories about trafficking are typically depicted.

Trafficking survivors who work on the project will be paid at least the US federal consultant rate of $81.25 per hour. As many survivors as possible will be employed to build out and design VULN. AI might be used to help with some of the physics and artwork, however as much original survivor-created artwork as possible will be prioritized.

VULN will benefit all survivors worldwide because it will incorporate stories from survivors around the world with the intention of educating the public, policymakers, and philanthropists on the root causes of trafficking. VULN is also a vehicle for trafficking survivors to offer effective survivor-centered solutions.

Sabra Boyd is the team lead for VULN, and the team includes all trafficking survivors around the world from a variety of different backgrounds. Approximately half the team has experience coding and building AI and Machine Learning programs, and some have videogame dev experience. 

I've been working on this project for years. The barrier to having a prototype ready at this time is funding because trafficking survivors' financial trajectory is usually impeded for life. MIT Solve's funding would make this survivor-led project possible. 

Without funding, the videogame about trafficking build and designed by trafficking survivors isn't possible. VULN is a videogame that allows for dynamic interactive storytelling that will have wideranging impacts on social policy and the public's understanding of the root causes of trafficking.

The only other videogames about trafficking that I know of were designed by non-survivors and perpetuate harmful white savior rescue myths. VULN is a videogame about human trafficking designed and built by trafficking survivors.

VULN will use immersive and interactive storytelling by trafficking survivors with lived experience to help non-survivors understand the underlying issues and root causes of exploitation. This, in turn, will help create narrative change and better policies.

We will use focus groups for beta testing and will use CQI with survivor input to continue improving and expanding the project.

VULN will primarily use VR, AR, and some AI for the physics and other design elements using original artwork developed by trafficking survivors.

The core dev team will include 12 survivors, but over 50 consultant survivors will be paid consultants and writers for the VULN project.

I've been working on this for over five years. The main barrier is funding.

Trafficking survivors from around the world will be hired to help develop VULN.

Customers include anyone who plays videogames, enjoys stories, or is interested in human trafficking issues. We will use Apple, Android, Switch, PSR, and XBox to distribute versions of VULN. There will be a mobile version of the game, as well as a VR / AR version. We will also use Twitch partners and YouTube gamer influencers to market VULN. 

With funding to get started, we will offer a sliding scale cost for purchasing the game. We can also offer mods that can be purchased.