“Shadows Behind the Screen: A Story of Child Trafficking” is a pick-a-path graphic novel designed to highlight the importance of digital evidence and tools.
Blue, a young teenager, met her trafficker online and started engaging with him through different online platforms. After an exchange of intimate messages, Blue is blackmailed into meeting him in person and forced into sexual exploitation. But this doesn’t have to be the end of her story.
“Shadows Behind the Screen: A Story of Child Trafficking” presents the importance of digital evidence and tools, and how the proper employment of these can be make-or-break a case. The graphic novel provides an interactive learning experience that demonstrates how digital evidence can be effectively used through the three main stages of the criminal justice procedure in human trafficking cases: victim identification, evidence collection, and a trial.
The graphic novel is designed in a pick-a-path format. This way, the reader can discover three possible directions: properly used digital evidence and tools; limited reliance on digital evidence and tools; or the danger of missed opportunities. By exploring these three stages, the “Shadows Behind the Screen: A Story of Child Trafficking” highlights the potential and challenges of integrations digital evidence and tools into criminal investigations.
Each of the three chapters is followed by an explanatory section that dives into the events depicted in the story. These sections provide additional information related to victim identification, evidence collection, and prosecution, drawing connection between the fictional narrative and real-world procedures.
This graphic novel was developed as part of the DISRUPT project, which aims to strengthen professionals’ capacities in conducting digital evidence-based investigations, prosecutions, and judicial responses in cases of child trafficking for sexual exploitation.
So, how will you help Blue? Download the graphic novel for the full reader experience here.
