Massachusetts Attorney General and Spark! Team Up for Summer of Social Change

At this moment, roughly 16 million people are performing labor against their will. When $51 billion line the pockets of labor traffickers globally, despite illegality, the industry is steadily profiting off modern day slavery.

To make a dent in those numbers, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office is developing a tool that Spark! Project Manager, Savannah Majarwitz (Pardee’22) plays a major role in as part of the Spark! Experiential Learning Summer Internship.

“I really enjoy the innovative approach that Spark! brings to social issues,” the rising senior relations major said. “I never really knew how much technology could do to help people.”

RESULT (Recognize and Evaluate Signs to Uncover Labor Trafficking), is an app for first responders, investigators, inspectors, and law enforcement to determine if somebody is at risk or experiencing labor trafficking. 

The app consists of tips for interviewing potential victims,
an assessment that service providers will ask the individuals to help determine the situation, resources for victims, as well as information on Massachusetts law.

“Developing a user-friendly tool that increases access to resources with limited barriers ensures that more service providers can utilize the technology, thus ensuring more victims receive the assistance they need,” Spark! Program Manager, Greta Bruce said. 

In bringing the vision to life, Majarwitz is leading a team of four students. Their current goal is to make the app more user friendly and intuitive on the front end for responders.

Although Majarwitz’ major is international relations, she said that “having a non-technical background helps my teammates in learning how to speak to clients who may also not have the same knowledge.” Bridging the gap between technology and social justice includes making the discussions “more approachable and understandable.”

Even with the end of summer insight, the team is just as motivated as ever to deliver the app in full, as well as introducing a map with resources into the tool. Bruce says this app demonstrates Spark! student’s commitment to a greater purpose.

“It speaks volume about who they are as people and who they aim to be in the world,” Bruce adds.