Florida is particularly susceptible to human trafficking due to a confluence of 

geographic, economic, and demographic factors that provide ideal conditions for traffickers. The state consistently ranks among the top three in the U.S. for reported cases. 

Key factors contributing to the high prevalence include:

• Major Transportation Hubs: Florida’s extensive coastline with numerous ports, many airports, and major interstate highways makes it easy to transport victims in and out of the state.
• Large Tourism and Hospitality Industry: The constant influx of tourists and the presence of world-renowned theme parks and beaches create a large, transient population and an environment where illicit activities can more easily blend in and go unnoticed.
• Significant Agricultural Economy: The state’s large agriculture and domestic work sectors have historically been environments where forced labor, particularly involving vulnerable populations like undocumented migrants, has occurred.
• Vulnerable Populations: Traffickers often target people who are hoping for a better life, lack employment opportunities, or have an unstable home life. Florida’s diverse population includes individuals who may be more susceptible to false promises of high-paying jobs or stable relationships, which are common recruitment tactics.
• Large Number of Cities and Events: Florida has many major cities that host national and international events, which can attract temporary spikes in demand for commercial sex and cheap labor, facilitating trafficking operations. 

Sex trafficking is the most common form in Florida, with over 70% of reported cases in 2023 involving children, many of whom were groomed online. 

Get Help and Report Trafficking

If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact the appropriate authorities:

• National Human Trafficking Hotline: Call 1-888-373-7888, text “HELP” or “INFO” to 233733 (BEFREE), or use their online chat.
• Florida Abuse Hotline (for suspected human trafficking of a child in Florida): Call 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873).
• Florida Statewide Council on Human Trafficking:Works to coordinate state-wide efforts to fight human trafficking and support victims. 
• 
  Florida
   is particularly susceptible to human trafficking due to a confluence of geographic, economic, and demographic factors that create an environment where exploitation can thrive and remain hidden. 
  
  Key Factors Contributing to the Problem:
  Geographic Location and Infrastructure: As a peninsula with extensive coastlines, numerous airports, and major ports, Florida serves as a significant transit hub, making it easier for traffickers to move victims in and out of the state. The extensive network of interstates and roadways further facilitates this movement.
  Major Industries: Key industries in Florida provide cover and opportunity for trafficking:Tourism and Hospitality: The state’s large tourism industry, with its world-renowned theme parks and beaches, creates a constant flow of transient people (both tourists and workers). This provides a large, anonymous market for commercial sex and a vulnerable workforce that can be exploited in hotels, restaurants, and related services.
  Agriculture and Construction: These industries have a high demand for low-wage labor, a sector where forced labor, debt bondage, and inhumane working conditions are more likely to occur, often targeting undocumented migrants who lack legal protections.
  Large and Diverse Population: Florida’s high population, numerous major cities, and diverse communities can help traffickers blend in and make the crime harder to detect.
  Vulnerable Populations: Traffickers often prey on individuals who are seeking a better life, lack stable employment or housing, have a history of abuse, or have fallen victim to addiction. False promises of high-paying jobs or loving relationships are common tactics. Children and minors (especially those aged 11-17) are particularly vulnerable, accounting for a majority of reported cases.
  Online Recruitment: A significant percentage of cases, especially sex trafficking of minors, involve online grooming and recruitment, utilizing technology to connect with victims and facilitate exploitation. 
  
  Scope of the Issue
  Florida consistently ranks as one of the top three states in the U.S. for reported human trafficking cases, after California and Texas. A 2024 report estimated over 700,000 people were victims of labor or sex trafficking in the state. 
  
  Seeking Help
  If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, text “HELP” or “INFO” to 233733 (BEFREE), or chat online. To report suspected human trafficking of a child in Florida, you can also call the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873).