Estimating Effectiveness of Identifying Human Trafficking via Data Envelopment Analysis.

This article focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of transit monitoring stations operated by the nongovernmental organization (NGO) Love Justice International (LJI) along the Nepal-India border in identifying potential human trafficking victims. Using data envelopment analysis (DEA), a performance measurement tool, the study assesses the relative efficiency of seven LJI stations over 13 quarters by comparing inputs (staff number, test scores, and hours worked) against outputs (counts and completeness of interception and victim interview forms). The analysis identifies efficient and inefficient stations, enabling targeted recommendations to improve operations and resource allocation in this resource-constrained nonprofit context. This work represents the first known application of DEA in anti-human trafficking efforts and highlights the potential of data-driven approaches to enhance nonprofit operational effectiveness.