Super Bowl's Not-So-Super Side: Human Trafficking

2011 UPDATE: Human trafficking at Super Bowl XLV: How to stop the traffic

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I love football and am thrilled the Super Bowl is just around the corner. 

I’m not at all excited, however, about what will come to Miami the same week:  A huge increase in human trafficking.

"Every time we have a big event like the Super Bowl," says Anna Rodriguez, founder of the Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking (FCAHT), "you have pimps that move people across the nation to where there is a large activity and a quicker way to make a lot of money."

Human trafficking is the 2nd most profitable crime on the planet, after illegal drugs. You can sell a drug once but you can sell a human being over and over again. 

Traffickers know there’s money to be made so when there's an international sporting event like the Super Bowl or World Cup, they show up in force.

Remember, we're not talking about voluntary prostitution.  Human trafficking involves force, fraud, and coercion. Women and girls are forcibly trafficked to cities where events like the Super Bowl are held.

There's nothing voluntary about it. It's human slavery.  And in some cases child slavery.

The human trafficking industry may be getting ready, but so are abolitionists and law enforcement.

Anti-trafficking organizations are mobilized to reach out to Miami hotels and business owners who might come in contact with victims of commercial sexual exploitation. They'll also reach out to minors in areas known for commercial sexual exploitation.

These organizations include:

Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking
KLaasKids Foundation
Global Child Rescue
Stand Up for Kids
Kristi House
Free International
Florida Abolitionists
Local, state, and national law enforcement

Last year a similar coalition provided 13 leads to law enforcement—one of which turned out to be the “Treasure Island” case in St. Petersburg, Florida. Six pimps were arrested and 4 domestic victims were rescued.

This year’s outreach in Miami includes a week of training and outreach for team members and volunteers along with an army of people praying for their success.

Want to join them? Contact anna@stophumantrafficking.org.

Let's see if we can set some captives free--and put some traffickers behind bars.

 

Comments

[Maggie Pascal]

To Whom It May Concern,

I attended an event at the gulf stream Park in Hallandale. The club was m6 or m16 called "The Hip Event".

I was shocked at how young some of the girls looked- teens. They were dressed like hookers and I think some were.

I"m from a more conservative place (Maryland) and am just visiting. I have children and wouldn't have dreamed of buying clothes like that for my daughters or ever allow them out the door that way.
Maybe someone should look into it.

Sincerely,
Maggie

[Carolyn Wada]

Important information. Thank you.

[Rachel G.]

thank you for the article. oh may these women and children all be rescued…where is our military? why are they not being the ones to come in and rescue???