By Matthew Cimitile, University Communications and Marketing
The University of South Florida is launching a new data repository that illustrates the magnitude, trends and geographic scope of human trafficking across the state.
Called TIPSTR, the tool can assist law enforcement and anti-trafficking organizations on where best to deploy resources to combat the crime and provides vital information in addressing gaps in victim services and developing prevention programs.
Launched by USF’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Risk to Resilience Research Lab, TIPSTR will be transformational in the state's fight against human trafficking, according to elected officials and law enforcement.
“What TIPSTR allows us to do is take all the human trafficking data that is collected across the state and create a centralized database and mapping tool that provides a comprehensive picture of the issue and assist those in discerning patterns and solving problems,” said Joan Reid, USF criminology professor and director of the TIP Lab. “We believe TIPSTR will inform policy on where the state should invest and aid law enforcement on targeted deployment of resources to effectively respond to human trafficking.”
TIPSTR was created through a partnership between the TIP Lab and Allies Against Slavery, a non-profit that builds data platforms to combat human trafficking. They worked to aggregate, store and visualize data using Lighthouse, a robust software platform that has been successfully implemented statewide in Texas and Louisiana.
TIPSTR uses Lighthouse to compile a vast amount of data from state agencies, universities and anti-trafficking organizations to give the most complete picture to date of the state’s human trafficking problem. Florida has the third highest amount of human trafficking cases in the nation, according to the Florida Department of Children and Families.
Data includes arrests, federal and state prosecutions, ads from illicit websites, trafficking abuse reports of minors, laws and policies, services for victims, trafficking prevention education, demographics and more. Lighthouse maps all this information to visualize the extent of human trafficking and the trends over time.
"Human trafficking is a crisis that demands innovative solutions, and the TIPSTR tool represents a major step forward in identifying risks and protecting vulnerable individuals,” said FL. State Senator Darryl Rouson. “By harnessing data and technology, we can better allocate resources, disrupt trafficking networks and support survivors on their path to recovery. I’m proud to champion this effort and look forward to seeing its impact in Florida and beyond.”
State Sen. Rouson and State Rep. Cross (center) attended a demo of the TIPSTR tool on Feb. 27 with USF leaders and researchers where they presented a ceremonial check of funds the TIP Lab received from the 2024-25 state budget.
TIPSTR was made possible by funding from both the state of Florida and the federal government. The TIP Lab received $750,000 from the 2024-25 state budget to develop and operate the statewide human trafficking data repository. U.S. Representative Kathy Castor was also able to secure nearly $1 million for TIPSTR from the 2024 federal spending package.
"I'm grateful to support USF and the incredible work the TIP Lab is doing to fight human trafficking," said FL. State Representative Lindsay Cross. "In order to combat human trafficking, we need a cohesive approach that targets criminals, supports victims with the services they need and establishes prevention programs. This comprehensive data repository is already providing crucial information to address where resources are needed and how we can eliminate human trafficking. I am blown away by how much work has already been done at the TIP Lab and I will continue to advocate for the policies and funding that helps improve safety in our community."
Since being established on the USF St. Petersburg campus in 2020, the TIP Lab has become a vital research center in the state’s fight against human trafficking and valuable partner to organizations supporting survivors.
In 2023, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a bill that made the lab the statewide repository for anonymous human trafficking data. In addition to collecting and analyzing statewide data, the lab is tasked with evaluating the effectiveness of state-funded initiatives to combat trafficking and working with law enforcement and state agencies to report data on human trafficking investigations and prosecutions. It is the only university-state partnership with this mandate in the country.
In 2024, the TIP Lab launched the BRIGHT (Bridging Resources and Information Gaps in Human Trafficking) Network, an online, vetted, secure resource referral network for those who provide services to victims of trafficking.
The centralized platform allows professionals in anti-trafficking organizations to track, coordinate and provide resources such as health care and safe housing to survivors. Law enforcement, non-profit organizations and social workers can access the user-friendly technology as they seek to assist victims of labor and sex trafficking. Much of the victim service data within TIPSTR was originally compiled through the BRIGHT Network.
Now the TIP Lab working with Allies Against Slavery have developed tools and information to further assist the state in combating human trafficking.
“At Allies Against Slavery, we’re honored to support this important work through our Lighthouse software platform, which helps state leaders clearly see and act on the data being collected,” said John Nehme, Allies’ president and CEO. “Together with Florida’s leadership and USF’s expertise, TIPSTR is showing other states how data and partnerships can work together to combat human trafficking effectively.”
Later this year, the TIP Lab will submit a report to the governor, president of the Florida Senate and speaker of the Florida House that provides a baseline status of human trafficking in the state. TIP Lab researchers hope that both the launch of the tool and the state report will motivate others to collect and submit data to TIPSTR.
“We hope the launch of this new tool and the state report will motivate more people and organizations working in this space to collect greater data on human trafficking, which will continue to refine the overall picture and show where we need to direct resources,” said Kailey Carter, project manager for TIPSTR and the BRIGHT Network.