In 2023, Florida reported more than 700,000 cases of human trafficking. That shocking figure is the result of a first-of-its-kind study conducted by the University of South Florida’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Risk to Resilience Research Lab. The alarming figure highlights the state’s vulnerability to this hidden crime, exacerbated by its large population and the presence of major cities that host numerous national and international events.
The state commissioned the study in accordance with a 2023 law. It appointed the TIP lab to be the official repository for this anonymous data on human trafficking. This law requires annual reports to shed light on where human trafficking has increased and how widespread it is across Florida. Our TIP lab analysis, in collaboration with nonprofit partners and through public surveys with several thousand participants, presents data from 30 agencies that led us to these important discoveries.
Florida’s vulnerability to human trafficking issues is due to a number of reasons. It includes hundreds of airports and ports that help connect people and goods across borders. Coupled with the lack of regulatory enforcement over many of these high-risk industries in the state and their history of such exploitation, they become easy targets.
The report estimates that over 500,000 people were enslaved through ILAB’s form of labor trafficking. Furthermore, an estimated 200,000 Americans were victims of sex trafficking. Alarmingly, almost half of those trafficked for sex were minors—including an estimated 100,000 children that are targeted.
The results underscore, as expected, human trafficking is deemed an underground crime. Violence against them too often goes unnoticed, making it difficult for law enforcement and policymakers to combat the epidemic.
“Human trafficking is considered a hidden crime and its victims are often invisible,” – Joan Reid
In May, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) partnered with state law enforcement. Combined, they arrested 255 people for various crimes including prostitution and child exploitation. These initiatives further demonstrate a critical demand for more robust, coordinated approaches to addressing human trafficking across the state.
Joan Reid, one of the most important scientists behind the study, recently spoke to WFLA about what makes this study so important. She stated, “The key objective of this report is to make the hidden and invisible visible to those who have the responsibility to act toward disrupting human trafficking in our communities, counties and state.”
Darryl Rouson spoke to what the report means. He said he hopes it would result in more effective anti-trafficking efforts. He noted, “This report will make a substantial impact on anti-trafficking efforts, resulting in many adults and children being spared from the devastating consequences of human trafficking.”
The study’s results are poised to have dramatic effects on Florida’s direction with regard to anti-trafficking policies. Reid acknowledged that “many questions remain regarding progress and best practices within the focal areas of prevention, protection, prosecution, policy and partnership.”