I came across some interesting articles commenting on the relationship between sex trafficking and one of the world's most high-profile sporting events - the Super Bowl. With the event in Minneapolis and the Eagle's unexpected victory fresh in our minds, sex trafficking is probably one of the last things that you typically associate with the spectacle.
However, sex trafficking in the US spikes considerably around large events such as these, setting off alarm bells for organizations trying to keep the public safe. The commotion and excitement of the event creates a supposed cover for captors to seek out and take advantage of unweary individuals. It's also been said that the influx of new visitors flooding local hotels and additional facilities blurs the situation further, making it difficult for authorities to intervene appropriately.
This is an interesting read that introduces sex trafficking in relation to the Super Bowl: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/03/super-bowl-sex-trafficking_n_2607871.html
Clearly, this is just an introduction and I encourage you to do your own additional research.
If you choose to do so, you'll definitely come across just as reputable articles arguing against the connection between the Super Bowl and sex trafficking. Critics call into question to the motive behind perpetuating this "myth" and speculate that the story is just a cover up for government entities and police organizations to wield additional influence. Attendees have described the scene at the event comparable to a "police state" where there were multiple armed officials at various checkpoints. Moreover, some critics have suggested that ICE officials capitalize on the situation by arresting undocumented individuals at the event under the guise of protective services against sex trafficking.
Read one perspective here: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-football-nfl-superbowl-trafficking-an/is-the-super-bowl-really-the-u-s-s-biggest-sex-trafficking-magnet-idUSKBN1FL6A1
What do you think?
How can government authorities keep the public safe without infringing on personal rights?
Are the current preventative measures used the most effective to combat this issue?
Does the issue of sex trafficking at the Super Bowl at larger social and political implications? Are they being addressed appropriately?
Leave your thoughts in the comments below. See you in a few weeks!
Hello Honorable Chair and Fellow Delegates!
ReplyDeleteThe UK recommends a few solutions that all nations should take into account in order to significantly decrease, or even eliminate trafficking as a result of huge sports events, such as the Super Bowl. One of the main reasons the Super Bowl results in increased trafficking is merely due to one aspect of the worldwide culture - where vast numbers of men who converge on the Super Bowl, host celebratory parties which are fueled with alcohol. Given this, it’s not too surprising that police troops in Houston, Texas were established in numerous neighborhoods on the evening of February 3rd. In order to fully resolve this issue regarding large sports events and human trafficking, the UK believes that first, the National Football League (NFL) must admit that these crimes are happening. If they’re willing to admit that these major sports events trigger a demand in sex trafficking, it’s more than likely that they’ll help raise awareness socially and help solve the problem rather than being the problem itself. Second, the UK proposes an organization called the WIT (Women in Trafficking). This organization will focus on educating not only women, but also boys and men in order to further stress what trafficking entails and the results that follow with such crimes. Third, the UK suggests that people who work in hotels, airports, and bars or anyone who works in the hospitality industry, to report any suspicious people or activities that may imply the slightest hint of trafficking. People often forget that trafficking is a form of slavery, and we have abolished slavery long before the Super Bowl even came to rise.
If other delegations have other suggestions or would like to add on to what we've put out, the delegation of the UK would love to hear more! Until then, we hope to see everyone in conference! :)
Hello fellow delegates and Honorable Chairs,
ReplyDeleteThe increase of sex trafficking at major social gatherings such as the Super Bowl can specifically be traced back to an influx of demand for prostitutes within major cities. The call for a higher demand directly leads to an increased supply of young girls being subjected to commit these horrendous crimes. Understanding this notion, the delegation of China believes that government authorities can and must take action on this issue by putting the security and sanctity of the state above all else. With that in mind, government authorities can further work under each of their own Ministry of Public Security (MPS) which is a branch in each major national government specifically dedicated to eradicating the presence of human trafficking within national borders. Within China, one example of properly utilizing our own MPS was by investing in a new security force to begin campaigns against human trafficking and security sweeps of major areas which have considered trafficking hotspots. On the international level, if nations take action on the unity and safety of the nation at the forefront, then the argument of infringement on personal rights is no longer valid.
While current preventative measures are able to help control human trafficking levels specifically during the Super Bowl, measures can be further taken to help control the issue year round. According to the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, it is imperative that people ratify this document because it calls for an increase in punishment for guilty parties, as well as a new national plan of action to be established within each country. The issue of sex trafficking at the Super Bowl as a whole, however, has larger implications due to the amount of attention it brings to the issue. As aforementioned, it is imperative to use this platform as a jump-off point for international entities to bear in mind national safety. These issues are not being addressed appropriately due to the presence and implications which follow human trafficking victims during events such as the Super Bowl.
It is a fact that instances of crime, specifically sex trafficking, occur at higher rates in any major public event involving large amounts of people. That being said, the United States has already taken notice of this pressing issue and instigated immediate action to combat it, mobilizing multi-agency task forces operating in the weeks before and during the Super Bowl specifically tasked with rooting out trafficking groups and carrying out operations. These missions are largely successful: in 2015, 600 arrests were made in the two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl as a result of sex trafficking sting operations. However, putting extreme emphasis on trafficking during the Super Bowl undermines the importance of fighting this issue year-round, and it is crucial to remember that sex trafficking occurs constantly and consistently. Action focused on identifying victims and traffickers, and then prosecuting traffickers to the fullest extent of the law, must be taken as a constant effort if this world is to see the true end of modern slavery. Law officials and special agencies at the forefront of action need to be trained on how to most effectively prosecute traffickers, as in many cases, individuals associated with trafficking operations are not punished severely enough, or even at all. The US would like to encourage collaboration between organizations like the NFL and governmental organizations in addressing trafficking and motivate the two to work together during large-scale events to effectively prevent the rise of trafficking incidents. By coordinating efforts, the problem of human trafficking can be combated with a successful response.
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ReplyDeleteGermany acknowledges the tremendous increase in sex trafficking, especially at large-scale events as the Super Bowl. Many countries have been aiming on implementing the usage of laws in order to punish those who have been committed these crimes. However, Germany would like to point out that many people who commit sex trafficking, do not get punished for their crimes due to escaping easily. Therefore, the country of Germany believes that the prevention and protection of sex trafficking are key points. Crimes should directly be addressed through an increase in security.
ReplyDeleteGermany believes that this can be done through the utilization of the End Trafficking in Persons Programme, which works directly with communities in order to develop human trafficking prevention programs. The ETIP spreads awareness of dangers of trafficking, ways to avoid it, and assists vulnerable families. Additionally, the End Trafficking in Persons Programme sets up community watch volunteers in specific regions in order for there to be a stronger reporting system. With a stronger reporting system, there is an increase in the possibility of catching sex trafficking criminals. Also, the usage of this method would be very beneficial at large events, such as the Super Bowl.
However, Germany also realizes how easy it is to not notice a trafficking crime at such a huge event. Therefore, if family members and friends are aware of the missing person, the ETIP works internationally by trying to find missing people who lost contact with their family members and could have fallen into a trafficking situation. Germany would like to encourage the implementation of this programme in partnership with the nation’s governments in order to implement the programme’s specific actions into large-scale events.