Researchers, legislators and law enforcement leaders came together at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus to celebrate the grand opening of a research lab devoted to studying human trafficking in the state. The event highlighted ongoing projects and recognized champions of anti-trafficking efforts in Florida.

The Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Risk to Resilience Research Lab is one of the first research centers dedicated to studying the myriad impacts of sexual exploitation of children in Florida and housed on the USF St. Petersburg campus.

“We realized there was a much larger group of youth who were vulnerable to this than previously understood,” said Joan Reid, a criminology professor whose research focuses on child sex trafficking in Florida and is director of the TIP lab. “I came up with the conclusion that any kid is vulnerable. Given the right situation, meeting the right trafficker, any person, any child can be manipulated into this.”

The research lab helps stakeholders, including non-profit groups, legislators and law enforcement agencies, by providing accurate data and resources about victims of human trafficking.