During major sporting events like the Super Bowl, disturbing businesses such as drugs, alcohol, prostitution, and child trafficking often thrive in the United States. This year’s Super Bowl, scheduled for Sunday, February 2, in New Jersey, is no exception. While fans are gearing up for the excitement, there’s also growing concern over the exploitation of vulnerable individuals and child prostitution networks taking advantage of the event.
Republican Rep. Christopher Smith expressed his concern during a hearing in the House of Representatives, recalling the 2010 Super Bowl in Miami, where over 10,000 exploited women and girls were identified. He emphasized that sporting events, especially the Super Bowl, are known to attract sex trafficking activities.
In response to these alarming trends, the American government and anti-prostitution organizations are stepping up efforts to combat trafficking during the event. Various initiatives, such as the Blue Lightning program, are training employees in the tourism sector, including airlines, bus companies, and hotel chains, to recognize and report signs of trafficking. Hotel staff, in particular, are being trained to identify potential victims, as hotel rooms are often used for illicit activities due to the perceived anonymity they offer.
Christopher Smith highlighted the role of flight personnel in spotting trafficking situations, citing a successful case where a flight attendant alerted authorities about a trafficking ring smuggling 82 children from the Dominican Republic to the United States. This collaborative effort aims to raise awareness and empower individuals to take action against trafficking during high-profile events like the Super Bowl.
