San Francisco is ramping up efforts to combat human trafficking as communities prepare for Super Bowl 60, scheduled for February 11, 2024. Leaders from multiple Bay Area counties convened for the annual Kick-Off to Anti-Human Trafficking Month, emphasizing the need for coordinated action in light of the large sporting events expected to draw significant crowds.
At this event, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie stated, “San Francisco will not look the other way. Instead, we will coordinate across law enforcement, social services, and community partners, not in silos – not after the fact, but in real-time.” The collaboration aims to bolster awareness and prevention measures as the region braces for an influx of visitors ahead of the Super Bowl, followed by the FIFA World Cup in June.
The “San Francisco Collaborative Against Human Trafficking” is focusing its efforts on these major events. Zaileen Jammohamed from the Bay Area Host Committee announced that the NFL is providing $200,000 in grant funding to support three key anti-trafficking nonprofits in the Bay Area.
Research has shown little evidence linking the Super Bowl to an increase in sex trafficking, yet local nonprofits and law enforcement agencies stress the importance of addressing the issue regardless of major sporting events. San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins highlighted the plight of victims, stating, “Unfortunately, these victims are held captive and hostage without really any contact with the outside world, and they are placed in fear that if they say anything there will be harm to them and their families.”
Collaboration is a key focus as District Attorneys from San Francisco, Santa Clara, and Marin County confirmed their offices would work together to tackle human trafficking across county lines. Santa Clara District Attorney Jeff Rosen noted, “We have increased the number of prosecutors and investigators that are combating human trafficking, and we actually have briefings coming up in the next few weeks from our federal partners about what kind of criminal trends we can expect to see with the coming of the Super Bowl and FIFA.”
In addition to law enforcement measures, multiple Bay Area airports are training staff to identify the signs of human trafficking. The heightened travel anticipated for the Super Bowl makes this training particularly relevant. Erika Keaveney, Executive Director of Freedom Insight, explained that airport personnel should be alert to signs of distress, such as individuals who appear disoriented or are not allowed to speak independently.
The collective efforts of Bay Area leaders and organizations represent a proactive stance against human trafficking, aiming to ensure a safe environment for all attendees during the upcoming sporting events. By fostering collaboration and increasing awareness, these initiatives hope to make significant strides in the fight against this pervasive issue.
