Human trafficking in Pinellas: High risk, low response 

Researchers at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus have released a groundbreaking report that highlights the prevalence of human trafficking throughout Florida. 

Florida is home to more than 200,000 sex trafficking victims, and experts estimate that minors comprise half of that population. The 2024 State Report on Human Trafficking also found that over 500,000 people suffered from labor exploitation.

Researchers at USF’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Risk to Resilience Lab realized that Pinellas County faces a “significant trafficking risk,” yet has “concerning gaps in response capacity.” However, project manager Kailey Carter noted several local organizations provide services for victims. 

“They (Pinellas) are seeing a lot of instances of trafficking,” Carter told the Catalyst. “And as far as response, there have not been a lot of arrests.” 

The State of Florida commissioned the TIP Lab for the study. The facility received nearly $3 million in federal funding to launch its BRIGHT (Bridging Resources and Information Gaps in Human Trafficking) Network in May 2024. 

The online platform, developed in collaboration with anti-trafficking experts and survivors, allows vetted organizations to coordinate and provide resources for exploited adults and minors. Florida previously lacked an embedded care network and comprehensive data to track and mitigate human trafficking. 

“We’ve been operating without knowing that true number, just based on tips that may come in,” Carter said. “This allows us to have a baseline of what trafficking looks like in our state to be able to compare it as we continue to do this report.” 

Florida has one of the highest human trafficking rates in the country due to its population, the number of major cities that host national and international events and the prevalence of airports and ports. Industries often supported by illegal labor – agriculture, tourism and adult entertainment – thrive in the state. 

Human trafficking data highlighted in the first-of-its-kind report.

The report notes that stakeholders statewide have increased coordinated efforts to combat human trafficking in recent years. Penalties in Florida far exceed the national average. 

In a prepared statement, TIP Lab director Joan Reid said the report’s overarching goal is to “make the hidden and invisible visible” to those who are responsible for disrupting human trafficking. “A report like this had not been done in the past because it seemed impossible to gather all these strands of data located with so many different organizations.” 

‘Everybody’s backyard’

Researchers scored counties according to human trafficking risk, response and resiliency. Risk is the “confluence of structural, economic, social, and institutional factors that create environments where trafficking is more likely to occur, remain undetected, or be inadequately addressed.”

Pinellas is among the urban counties with the highest priority for enhanced intervention services. An area’s response encompasses coordinated efforts between law enforcement, social services and community organizations to “address trafficking incidents after they have occurred” and “hold perpetrators accountable.”

While Pinellas also had a low-response score, researchers consider neighboring Hillsborough County a model for intervention and enforcement. An area’s resilience refers to its integrated network of protective systems, social structures, economic opportunities and community initiatives that “collectively enhance a region’s proactive capacity to prevent human trafficking.” 

The report identified 12 Pinellas organizations that serve human trafficking victims “across the most crucial categories.” Researchers gave the area a “moderate” resiliency score. 

“So, they have a pretty balanced response to human trafficking, considering there is a higher level of demand within Pinellas County based on the number of commercial sex ads that have been posted,” Carter elaborated. 

Researchers recorded 14,877 online ads for local commercial sex services from July through October 2024. Pinellas was home to 74 illicit massage businesses. 

Carter said enterprising criminals will “find a way” to meet local demand for those services. “I think the report is important because it brings awareness for not just the anti-trafficking community, but to the entire state, that this is something that’s happening in everybody’s backyard,” she added. 

“It’s not like what you see in the movies.” 

Legislation in 2023 designated the TIP Lab as that state’s repository for anonymous human trafficking data. USF St. Petersburg researchers will now compile and submit an annual report to the governor, the Senate president and the House speaker. 

Sen. Darryl Rouson, the lab’s senate appropriation sponsor, noted that stakeholders believe “this annual report will make a substantial impact on anti-trafficking efforts, resulting in many adults and children being spared from the devastating consequences … and many survivors receiving safe and effective assistance.” 

To view the report, visit the website here.