New platform developed by USF lab aims to fight human trafficking in Florida
A USF Lab launched a platform in February that will help combat human trafficking across Florida.
The platform is called TIPSTR and was created by USF’s Trafficking in Persons Risk to Reliance Lab.
It provides a storage system that gathers data from statewide sources on human trafficking and puts it in one database, said Alexandria McCullum, a TIP Lab research services administrator.
Law enforcement and organizations against human trafficking will be able to utilize the tool to understand “where best to deploy resources to combat the crime,” according to USF Newsroom.
The lab found that most organizations against human trafficking in Florida keep the information they collect to themselves, McCullum said.
“Each agency and many organizations have their own human trafficking data,” McCullum said. “But it wasn’t being shared amongst each other.”
The idea for TIP Lab was conceived by USF TIP Lab Director Joan Reid and Assistant Director Shelly Wagers to reduce human trafficking on a local level, according to The Oracle.
Florida is the third highest state with reported human trafficking cases, according to the Florida Alliance to End Human Trafficking.
Related: USF designated as first academic institution for statewide human trafficking data repository
Reid said she is excited to provide Florida with an accurate, up-to-date tool to help in the fight against human trafficking.
“TIPSTR is groundbreaking for the anti-trafficking efforts in Florida,” Reid said. “By providing data-driven insights, we will be able to better inform policy and resources.”
Alongside TIPSTR, TIP Lab also developed the resource Bridging Resources and Information Gaps in Human Trafficking, which was launched in 2024.
BRIGHT assists victims of human trafficking in finding services, such as “healthcare and safe housing,” according to USF Newsroom.
The lab received $750,000 from the 2024-25 Florida state budget to support both efforts, according to The Oracle.
While developing the TIPSTR tool, the lab collaborated with Allies Against Slavery, an organization that uses data and technology to create “slave-free cities,” according to its mission statement.
Allies Against Slavery developed the platform Lighthouse, which TIPSTR is built on.
The platform collects national and federal case data and state-level policies, comparing Florida’s anti-trafficking efforts with those of other states, McCullum said.
John Nehme, president and CEO of Allies Against Slavery, also implemented the Lighthouse program in Texas and Louisiana.
“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,” Nehme said.
Related: Florida budget supports USF cybersecurity, PTSD and veteran initiatives
With the creation of TIPSTR, McCullum said she has begun to witness more anti-trafficking organizations upload their information to the data bank.
“We’ve seen a noticeable difference in anti-trafficking efforts and willingness of agencies and organizations to collaborate,” McCullum said.
As organizations begin providing information to the platform, McCullum said public awareness is also helpful for the platform to succeed.
“Taking information from credible sources and academic literature is really helpful in keeping the public actively staying informed on what trafficking looks like and ultimately it helps support prevention efforts and TIPSTR by proxy,” McCullum said.
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