What is Hypergrid

Human trafficking is a real and ongoing issue. With globalization, the breadth and depth of human trafficking has increased exponentially. Global destabilization is a major contributor, creating the environment and drive for genocidal regimes and wars, leading to the dehumanization of those perceived as other or weaker. While trafficking may begin in developing or destabilized countries, trade often occurs in developed countries with middle- and upper-class residents as clients and customers. One way to educate people about trafficking, how to recognize when someone may be trafficked, and what to do about it, is to place them in an immersive environment so they may see and experience stories and situations while analyzing the components and recognizing behaviors indicative of trafficking. Using virtual world gaming environments meets these needs. A variety of creative and effective approaches to bringing trafficking issues and possible interventions may be explored in several virtual world applications.