Is the Super Bowl the Largest Human Trafficking Event in the USA?

Human trafficking is the fastest-growing and 2nd largest criminal industry in the world.

It’s a $38-50 BILLION dollar a year industry in the USA alone.

Although it’s happening year-round in every community in America, the demand – and therefore, the supply – intensifies with large events.

“As Los Angeles prepares to host the Super Bowl, [LA County] Sheriff Alex Villanueva … reminded residents that the event is a magnet for human trafficking.

“This is … always a lead-up to the Super Bowl, which ends up being one of the major events that draws human traffickers to the region”.” — Daily News 

“Experts explain the “party atmosphere” associated with the Super Bowl, concerts and conventions can lead to an increase in the purchase of adults and children for sex.” — KTLA News 

“In Atlanta, in the 11 days leading up to [the 2019] Super Bowl, police arrested 169 on trafficking charges — including 34 who were trying to engage in sexual acts with minors, the FBI reported.” — The Washington Times

“According to the National Trafficking Hotline, there were 896 cases of trafficking reported in Florida in 2019. Of these cases, 640 were sex trafficking cases. The Super Bowl has a reputation for being a “Magnet for sex trafficking.” In a state that already has many cases of trafficking, the Super Bowl can be an added opportunity for traffickers to take advantage of the travel and crowds.” — Dressember Foundation 

“According to Forbes, 10,000 prostitutes were brought to Miami for the Super Bowl in 2010 and 133 underage arrests for prostitution were made in Dallas during the 2011 Super Bowl.” — Huffpost 

While the Super Bowl isn’t the only large event to attract traffickers and victims, it’s one of the largest, annual events in America.  

Arizona is already a hot spot for all forms of human trafficking, including child rape trafficking. Its proximity to the southern border, large populations of homeless and runaway children, and popular entertainment industries – among other things – make it a high target area.

What we want the public to understand is that, whether it is by force or by choice, “sex workers” are being trafficked.

However, when it comes to child trafficking, exploitation, or any sexual behavior with a child, all of it is child abuse, which is irreparably harmful to the child.

A child cannot consent.

Veterans For Child Rescue’s mission is to expose and eradicate child trafficking in America and make our country a safe place for children. 

It’s not “sex with a child” or “sexual acts with minors.” It’s child rape. It’s not underage or juvenile prostitution. It’s child rape. It’s not “over sexualizing” a child. It’s child abuse.

Would you know what to do if you saw a child being trafficked?

Due to the covert nature of the trafficking industry, it’s imperative that we the people are aware and on the lookout for signs of children being trafficked, exploited, and harmed.

Travel Specific Red Flags to Watch For:

• Traveling with little or no possessions or clothes.
• Traveling with no phone or a “non-smart” phone.
• Traveling alone, but with no knowledge of current location, destination, point of origin, bus number/flight number/train number, or who is meeting them.
• The traveler may have been provided a ticket for a “modeling job”, “movie extra”, etc.

Rideshare Specific Red Flags:

• Did your passenger speak about a pimp or needing to make a quota?
• Did your passenger seem distressed?
• If your passenger is a minor with an adult, does the minor seemed controlled or coerced?
• Told not to speak, or grabbed and/or restrained when questioned?

Trucking Specific Red Flags:

• Witnessing a minor engage in or soliciting to perform a commercial sex act.
• A passenger vehicle pulls into the truck parking area and multiple people get out and go truck-to-truck.
• Discussion of having to make a quota.

Document & Report: 

• Location of incident, make, model, color, and license plate of vehicle, if possible.
• Time of encounter, flights, buses, or trains arriving or leaving in time window.
• When and where they were picked up and dropped off.
• Appearance, any accent, and dress of the adult and the minor.
• Their apparent direction of travel.

Motels, hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, events etc.

• Did they pay with cash? If not, is the name on the card available?
• Were there several apparent minors with a single “controlling” adult?
• If alcohol is being served, compare the adult and minors’ apparent level of comfort.
• In hotels/motels, ask if there will be any additional guests, and request they provide ID at the desk for reasons of COVID compliance.

• Bruises, cuts, burn marks from cigarettes, etc.
• Pay attention to wrists, ankles, arms, and neck as these may carry marks of restraint or control. Thin red lines or marks crisscrossing ankles or wrists indicating physical restraint.
• Malnourished, dirty, or unkempt appearance.
• Suggestive and/or revealing clothing on a child. Low-cut tops, shorts, deliberately visible undergarments, etc.
• Mis-sized or ill-fitting clothing (too big/too small). Poorer clothing than accompanying adult(s).
• Mismatched accessories including scarves, long sleeves, sunglasses, or jewelry disguising identity, age, and/or possible signs of abuse.
• Mismatch of clothes to climate or event. Too little clothing in too cold a climate, revealing or suggestive clothing at a public event.
• Extensive bathing in public bathrooms.
• Public or restroom use of dry spray shampoo and brush.
• Money sign tattoos, barcode tattoos, “daddy, master, owned, etc.”
• Brands of name, place, or gang symbol.
• Reluctant or unable to make eye contact.
• Hurried or truncated response to questions.
• Excessive nervousness, anxiety, fear, and seclusion when addressed or noticed.
• Deferring all responses and conversation to the adult(s) present.
• Actively moving away from and/or avoiding law enforcement or security.
• Apparent presence of a controlling figure.
• Exhibition of fear or agitation in proximity to controlling figure.
• Aggressive insertion of controlling figure in any attempt at interaction.
• Controlling figure limits movement or action and all interaction with others.
• Controller/victim’s stories inconsistent or sound scripted. Victim may not give age, or give a fake age when asked.
• Controller has and keeps control of all of the victim’s identification.
• Remain calm. Do not draw attention to yourself.
• Observe the situation and look for these signs of child trafficking.

If you’re unsure, and the situation seems safe, engage in small talk and observe the child’s reaction.

• Are they responsive and coherent?
• Do they answer questions for themselves or do they seem scripted, forced, or suppressed by an overly controlling adult?
• Do they seem overly nervous or anxious?
• Does the adult quickly whisk them away when you address them? Is the child’s body language signaling for help?
• Does the child seem at risk?

Move to a safe distance. Ensure you have the details to report.

• Call 911 or contact your local law enforcement agency.
• If you are in a place with security or a customer service center, inform them and ask them to contact 911.
• If you do not believe they have NOT acted, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline (888) 373-7888 – or by texting BeFree to 233733.
• Contact Homeland Security Investigations at: 866-347-2423 
• Submit a tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at Report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678.
• Submit a tip to the FBI at 1-800- 225-5324. FBI Sex Offender Registry: FBI.gov/scams-and-safety/sex-offender-registry
• National Sex Offender Public Website: NSOPW.gov
• National Registered Sex Offenders Laws: RegisteredOffendersList.org 

Be able to describe in detail: 

1. Who you saw (description of child/trafficker),
2. What you saw (description of vehicle, license plate, make/model of car, building, social media account, etc),
3. When you saw it (day/time)
4. Where did it occur
5. Why it’s suspicious

You may be routed to an agency that specializes in kidnapping and human trafficking. The most important thing you can do is get the data right.

You have the right to request to remain anonymous in the reporting process.

Contact us if further assistance is needed.

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