From Data to Action: What Youth Screening Insights Reveal About Trafficking Trends in Texas and Louisiana

Thu, September 18 | 1:45 PM EDT– 2:45 PM EDT
Topic: Research | Knowledge Level: Intermediate

Deniz Cansin Rodoplu, BS

As trafficking prevention efforts continue to evolve, screening tools and data-driven approaches are playing a critical role in identifying and supporting vulnerable youth. The Commercial Sexual Exploitation Identification tool (The CSE-IT) is a screening tool utilized across Texas and Louisiana via the software platform, Lighthouse. Over 180,000 CSE-IT screenings of youth collected across these two states were analyzed to illuminate 1) demographic trends and 2) key risk indicators as well as to generate recommendations for improving victim identification. Using insights from one of the most comprehensive screening datasets available, the presenter will showcase screening patterns across agency types, how factors such as age, gender, and system involvement influence risk levels for trafficking, the most common warning signs among youth flagged as “Clear Concern” and what they reveal about trafficking dynamics. This session will directly connect findings to practical implications for victim identification and service provision and equip attendees with evidence-based knowledge to refine their own screening protocols and intervention efforts.

Trigger Warning: This presentation contains information (written, spoken, or visual) that may be triggering or (re)traumatizing to attendees.


Presentation Objectives
  • Describe background on screening practices, Lighthouse data collection, and methodology for analysis
  • Present comprehensive findings from 180,000 youth screenings including demographic trends and risk indicators
  • Share recommendations for improving screening protocols and expanding data-driven collaboration nationally
About the Presenter
Deniz Cansin Rodoplu, BS

Deniz Cansin Rodoplu, a Product Analyst at Allies Against Slavery, manages the Lighthouse Screening Platform and Data Platform. With a dual degree from UC Berkeley in Data Science and Political Science, she supports over 160 organizations by developing data visualizations, ensuring privacy, and providing technical insights into anti-trafficking efforts.