The Super Bowl and other large sporting events draw “thousands of people to one location” (AIM, 2024) and millions more to their couches and TV screens for pure entertainment. For millions of fans world-wide, human trafficking is the furthest thing on their minds. Most are unaware of how the chaotic environment is conducive to human trafficking (Bridging Freedom, 2023). Traffickers use big events to exploit vulnerable individuals by taking advantage of the large crowds and extra money in circulation (AIM, 2024). Children are especially at risk for trafficking because of their age, dependence on adults, and lack of supervision, making them easy targets (Palusci, 2021).
Whether you’re cheering on your favorite team in person or at home, there is information and warning signs to pay attention to.
According to ESPN, “[h]uman trafficking occurs year-round and worldwide, from major cities to small towns, and it can spike during major events.” (Lapchick, 2019). “Traffickers...see that these events increase the number of potential victims and potential buyers. Therefore, the Super Bowl, along with every other major sporting event, has the possibility of becoming a hotspot for human trafficking” (AIM, 2024). Federal and local law enforcement are working to reduce human trafficking. From empowering citizens with information campaigns to help people “identify and report trafficking,” while law enforcement makes arrests and rescues victims, organizations are coming together to increase the public’s awareness and knowledge to reduce the amount of human trafficking. For example, in “a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto and members of the Nevada Congressional delegation shared a desire to work together with the league and Super Bowl authorities to combat human trafficking” (Our Rescue, 2024).
The NFL is also working to raise awareness. In addition to working with law enforcement, the Super Bowl Host Committee and the NFL have “endorsed Team Up Against Human Trafficking, an initiative that takes place around major sporting events with a goal of raising awareness and educating the public about the crime, exploitation, and abuse” (Our Rescue, 2024). Whether you're one of the lucky fans attending a super bowl or you're cheering from the safety of your sofa, it's important to know the signs of human trafficking and report any suspicious behavior to the authorities. Some signs provided by the National Human Trafficking Hotline to look out for include:
Behavioral Indicators:
- Fear and Submission: Victims often exhibit fear, anxiety, or submission, especially around certain individuals.
- Restricted Communication: They may avoid eye contact, seem hesitant to speak freely, or have scripted responses.
- Controlled Movement: Individuals are often accompanied by someone who monitors their every move, limiting their freedom.
Physical Indicators:
- Signs of Abuse: Unexplained injuries like bruises, cuts, or burns may be present.
- Malnourishment or Fatigue: Victims might appear underfed, exhausted, or show signs of poor health.
Situational Indicators:
- Lack of Personal Belongings: They may not have access to their own identification, money, or personal items.
- Inconsistent Stories: Victims may provide conflicting information about their age, whereabouts, or living conditions.
Environmental Indicators:
- High Security Measures: Living or working locations may have excessive security, such as barred windows or surveillance cameras, to prevent escape.
Large-scale events like the Super Bowl often amplify the risk of human trafficking due to the influx of visitors to an area, but trafficking is not confined to these events. Human trafficking can occur anywhere at any time. Understanding the signs allows you to equip yourself with knowledge that can help save someone’s life. Whether you’re cheering for your team from the stadium or in your living room, educating yourself about this issue is the first step in helping mitigate the crime (2025).
Citations
- AIM. (2024, February 4). Super Bowl: Does it increase human trafficking? Retrieved January 22, 2025, from https://aimfree.org/super-bowl/
- Bridging Freedom. (2023, February 7). Human trafficking at large sporting events. Bridging Freedom. Retrieved from https://www.bridgingfreedom.org/human-trafficking-sporting-events/
- National Human Trafficking Hotline. (2025). Recognizing the Signs. https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en/human-trafficking/recognizing-signs
- Lapchick, R. (2019, January 29). The state of human trafficking and sports. ESPN. https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/25876477/the-rise-exposure-human-trafficking-sports-world
- Our Rescue. (2024, February 8). Fighting Human Trafficking and the Super Bowl. Retrieved January 21, 2025, from https://ourrescue.org/education/prevention-awareness/human-trafficking-super-bowl#:~:text=With%20the%20Super%20Bowl%20being,a%20Las%20Vegas%2Dbased%20NGO
- Palusci, V. J. (Ed.). (2021). Preventing child abuse: Critical roles and multiple perspectives. Nova Science Publishers.
Additional Recommended Sources
Blue Campaign. (2022, September 22). What is human trafficking?: Homeland Security. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Retrieved from https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/what-human-trafficking
International Justice Mission. (2024, January). Is the Super Bowl the largest human trafficking event in the world?Retrieved January 22, 2025, from https://www.ijm.org/news/is-the-super-bowl-the-largest-human-trafficking-event-in-the-world
- Safe Horizon. (n.d.). Human trafficking statistics & facts. Retrieved January 21, 2025, from https://www.safehorizon.org/get-informed/human-trafficking-statistics-facts/#statistics-and-facts/
- Statista. (n.d.). Super Bowl attendance. Retrieved January 21, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1362951/super-bowl-attendance/
- U.S. Department of Justice. (n.d.). What is human trafficking? Retrieved January 21, 2025, from https://www.justice.gov/humantrafficking/what-is-human-trafficking
Bios
Ms. Olivia Toler is a student at Methodist University majoring in Criminal Justice and Forensic Science.
Ms. Alara Ilteralp is a student at Methodist University majoring in Criminal Justice and Forensic Science
Ms. Rebecca McGaughnea is a student at Methodist University majoring in Biology, Criminal Justice, and Forensic Science.
Dr. Eric See is the Division Head for Criminal Justice and Military Science and a Professor at Methodist University.
