Comments on: Human Trafficking and the Super Bowl: "It’s a Huge Problem"

By: Ian R.

Ian R. — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 20:33:00 +0000

Interestingly enough, most of the trafficking that does surround major sporting events is from the other (and much larger) side of human trafficking – trafficking in manual and domestic workers, rather than sex trafficking. I don’t know if there’s any research linking this to the Super Bowl specifically, but there’s documented evidence of forced laborers being used to construct the playing fields and lodging for events such as the World Cup and Olympics. In other words, it seems as though trafficked persons involved with sporting events are likely to be brought in prior to the event itself instead of being prostituted to fans during the festivities.

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 18:17:00 +0000

I want to be careful with my wording here, because human trafficking is a real and serious issue, and I don’t want to sound like I’m downplaying that reality. However, the Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women has studied all of the claims, and found that there isn’t an increase in trafficking during any major sporting event. We most definitely need to be doing something (and more than just “something”) about human trafficking, but I worry about the consequences of approaching the issue from a “big event moral panic” perspective. I fear that such an approach will lead to “fixes” centered around the big events, and which ignore the underlying problems that contribute to trafficking. That said, much of what Shayne and Kim say isn’t directly tied to the big event, and for that, I am grateful.

…for more information, I’d encourage everyone to find the GAATW’s study, entitled “What’s the Cost of a Rumour?”

By: John

John — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 23:00:00 +0000

I don’t really know what to say. I’m so sad this article needs to be written. I’m so sorry these actions are necessary.

By: 22044

22044 — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 15:20:00 +0000

Thank you for sharing.