The Dark Side of The Super Bowl - Keeping Our Children Safe From Human Trafficking
The Dark Side of the Superbowl - Keeping Our Children Safe From Human Trafficking
With Super Bowl LVII in town this week, it's an exciting time of year for sports fans and everyone here in the greater Phoenix area. It’s a day to get together with family and friends, enjoy some snacks, watch the game, and perhaps even place a bet or two. According to Glendale Economic Development and 2015 Super Bowl Committee, the last time Arizona hosted the Super Bowl was in 2015 it generated $719,000,000 in revenue and brought in more than 120,000 visitors. But while the Super Bowl offers plenty of opportunities for tourism, economic growth, and just overall fun, it also brings an increased risk of human trafficking. This issue is particularly pertinent in Arizona, where the Super Bowl will be held this year. Here’s what parents and educators should know about teen safety during this big event and how to prevent human trafficking at-risk behavior among our children.
Human Trafficking During Big Events
Unfortunately, large public events like the Super Bowl often provide an opportunity for human traffickers to target vulnerable individuals—including minors—for exploitation. Human trafficking involves exploiting someone through force, fraud, or coercion in order to make money or gain power over them. During big events like the Super Bowl, traffickers have been known to target vulnerable teens who are looking for adventure or trying to escape home life. You may think that only our young women are at risk, but young boys, LGBTQ youth, migrant Working communities, the Homeless and people with developmental disabilities are often targeted. To read more about vulnerable populations click Here.
At-Risk Behaviors
There are certain behaviors that can put teens at greater risk for human trafficking during the Super Bowl weekend. These behaviors include: going out alone late at night; accepting rides from strangers; engaging in drug use; and not understanding their own value as an individual. If your child is exhibiting any of these behaviors during the week leading up to or following the Super Bowl, it’s important to talk to them about why they may be engaging in these dangerous activities and how you can help them stay safe from predators who may be targeting them for exploitation. Also, look out for self-trafficking. With dating websites and the popularity of sugar daddy platforms that offer an exchange of money, goods or services for a 'date' it's easy to overlook the predatory nature of these exchanges.
Preventative Measures
As parents, here are some preventative measures you can take steps now to ensure our children stay safe throughout the week (and beyond). First and foremost, ensure that your child knows their full name (including middle name), address, phone number, age/birthdate and other important information like parents’ names so they can easily identify themselves if necessary. This information may seem basic and you might assume your child knows this information, but please double-check. Additionally, make sure your child has access to emergency contacts (parents/guardians/cousins/aunties/friends) that they can call if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe in any situation. Finally, discuss with your child how they should handle different situations that could arise – such as being approached by a stranger, or being asked to participate in risky behaviors – so they know exactly what to do if something occurs unexpectedly.
The risk of human trafficking increases significantly during large public events like the Super Bowl weekend in Arizona this year. Parents and educators should take measures now—such as talking to kids about at-risk behaviors—to ensure our children remain safe throughout this exciting time of year. By taking proactive steps now we can all work together towards preventing human trafficking from occurring at these large events so no one falls victim to its devastating effects ever again!
If you suspect trafficking please report it, every piece of information is helpful.
