In less than three weeks, Arizona will take center stage as the valley prepares to host the NCAA Final Four. Sadly, Fears are already escalating with officials about the potential increase in sex trafficking activities that is expected to come with the the NCAA Final Four basketball championship.
Human trafficking is a heinous crime that involves the exploitation of individuals through force, fraud, or coercion for various purposes, including sexual exploitation. It is a pressing issue that affects people worldwide, robbing them of their freedom, dignity, and basic human rights.
Human trafficking has devastating consequences for both the victims and society as a whole. Victims often endure physical and psychological abuse, living in constant fear and despair. They are stripped of their autonomy and treated as commodities, with their traffickers profiting from their suffering. The psychological trauma inflicted on the victims can have long-lasting effects, making it challenging for them to reintegrate into society even after they are rescued.
Furthermore, human trafficking contributes to the growth of organized crime networks, fostering corruption and instability in communities and countries. The vast profits generated from human trafficking enable these criminal networks to expand their operations and evade justice.
According to the World Without Exploitation, sex trafficking occurs on a daily basis in every city.
However, when a particular area experiences an influx of predominately men with money and time to spare, typically they see an increase in sex trafficking. As a point of reference, at last year’s Super Bowl in Glendale, over 300 people attempting to buy sex, were arrested during a sting operation. The same can be expected for the large tournament that will be held in Phoenix in April.
Sadly the majority of the victims affected are likely to be minors, as well as those vulnerable that often face issues such as financial disparity, lack of access to food, homelessness, mental health problems, or substance abuse.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received over 17,200 reports of potential child sex trafficking in 2021 alone, evidence of the continuous fight against this violation of human rights.
Reporting human trafficking is a crucial step in the fight against this crime. It is essential to break the silence and provide a voice to the victims who often suffer in silence. By reporting suspected cases of human trafficking, individuals can help law enforcement agencies gather evidence, dismantle criminal networks, and rescue victims.
If you witness or suspect human trafficking, it is important to contact your local law enforcement agency or a designated human trafficking hotline. Remember, your report could save lives and contribute to the eradication of human trafficking.
For assistance with a human trafficking case or to seek aid, please go to humantraffickinghotline.org or call 888-373-7888.
