It’s no surprise that trafficking, now the second largest criminal industry in the world, is all about the profit. Traffickers deceive, seduce, and coerce for one reason: money. Any situation that heightens the amount of money they can make–and they’re in.
There’s More at Stake Than Just a Game
It’s no surprise that trafficking, now the second largest criminal industry in the world, is all about the profit. Traffickers deceive, seduce, and coerce for one reason: money. Any situation that heightens the amount of money they can make–and they’re in.
Last February, the media coverage around the US Superbowl exposed the increase in trafficking that occurred around such a major sporting event. With an influx of so many more people into the area for a short amount of time, the odds are high that the market for prostituted women and children rises too. This is the sad reality of our sinful world.
This month, another major sporting event has taken the world by storm: the World Cup, hosted in Brazil. But there is a darker side to such an exciting event as well. Like the Superbowl, the World Cup draws in thousands of fans every day, many of whom find nothing wrong with “renting” a beautiful young woman for the night. These girls must often sell themselves for the equivalent of about $2, or a pack of cigarettes. One woman currently in Brazil has reported, “As we have been traveling, we have been particularly moved to pray for all of the young men who have come for the World Cup. Finding prostitutes seems to be the “macho” thing to do and they talk flippantly about it in the airport, on the bus, in the streets. We want them to know the reality behind these girls’ lives so that they may rethink what they are doing.”
Several groups of people have already stepped in to try to make a difference. “Play in Favor of Life – Denounce Human Trafficking” was formed by Roman Catholic Nuns, and is focused on raising awareness about the realities of trafficking during the World Cup. Operation Blessing also released a documentary exposing the realities of trafficking during this event called 1 Real.
OATH (Oregonians Against Trafficking Humans) recently shared that “Happy Children International, The A21 Campaign, Europol and the Jubilee Campaign, in conjunction with the UK’s National Crime Agency have also joined together to create an international campaign that stands against the sexual exploitation of children in Brazil, during the World Cup. This campaign is fully supported by the Metropolotan Police, the Football Association, the British Prime Minister, the UK and Brazilian Governments, as well ad the Brazilian Federal Police. With 2 Billion people watching around the world, this campaign is positioned to bring enormous awareness to sex trafficking at the World Cup.” We are excitied to see these collaborations happening as people around the world stand up to take action against such a horrific crime.
And what about you? What can you do? The most important thing in the world: PRAY.
As you’re watching the World Cup games this week, cheering your favorite team on, remember that there are those behind the scenes who have no advocate, no one to speak up for them or protect them in their most vulnerable moments. Take a moment each game, each day, to pray for these girls and for those who are perpetrating this system of trafficking. Pray that local law enforcement would be motivated to stop this awful crime, and that those currently in Brazil would have their eyes opened to trafficking and play no part in its demand. Pray that these girls would find advocates to rescue and restore them, and that all of this may be done through the power of Christ.
Because we know these children have the greatest Advocate in the world on their side, we can have hope.
