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FLORIDA - A new state-commissioned report from the University of South Florida has revealed staggering estimates of human trafficking across Florida, exposing the state’s ongoing struggle with this hidden crime.
According to the 2024 State Report on Human Trafficking, more than 500,000 people were allegedly exploited through labor trafficking and an additional 200,000 through sex trafficking over the past year.
The report, produced by USF’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Risk to Resilience Lab, estimates that nearly half of all sex trafficking victims in Florida are minors.
Researchers say Florida’s vulnerability stems from its large population, major tourism hubs, international events, and industries such as agriculture and entertainment.
The report, the first of its kind in Florida, compiled anonymous data from 30 state agencies and non-profit organizations, including the Florida Department of Children and Families and the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay.
Joan Reid, director of the TIP Lab, called human trafficking “a hidden crime,” stressing the need to “make the invisible visible.”
The report outlines the state’s growing prevention efforts, increasing prosecution rates, and improved coordination among agencies.
Florida has also launched TIPSTR, a new data platform mapping trafficking trends using law enforcement, judicial, and community data.
State Senator Darryl Rouson, who sponsored the TIP Lab through Senate appropriations, said the annual report would help save lives and ensure survivors receive better support.
The full report is expected to inform future legislative action and guide statewide anti-trafficking strategies.
To read the full report, visit the University of South Florida’s website.