Super Bowl XLIX Isn't All Fun and Games

By Abbey Fesler

 

This February, millions of American football fanatics watched the NFL Super Bowl XLIX. Whether it was to catch the hilarious commercials, the memorable halftime performance or just a competitive game, what the viewers did not see was the darkness that lurks so prevalently. Hundreds of thousands of young people, most of whom are women, are taken from their homes, communities, and schools to be sold into modern day slavery: human trafficking. These individuals are forced to work for little to no pay in unimaginable conditions. Most trafficking victims are forced into prostitution, which is the leading driver of the pornography industry.  

 

Researchers estimate that there are 21-36 million people in slavery today and 1.5 million who are trafficking victims in the United States. Let that sink in. This means that there are more people enslaved today than ever before in the history of the world. The problem of human trafficking, and more specifically prostitution, is brought to light around the time of the Super Bowl. The number one goal of pimps and traffickers is to make money. Each year there are hundreds of thousands of people who flock to the city where the Super Bowl is held, many people long on cash and short on morality. It is a breeding ground for greedy pimps and traffickers to exploit their victims. This formula makes sense. 

 

Now, human trafficking and prostitution are ongoing issues, 365 days a year. Some would argue that there is not enough statistical data to support the influx of human trafficking victims during major events such as the Super Bowl. Notwithstanding, gathering statistical information is incredibly difficult for such a messy and secretive industry. What can be known for sure is that America needs to be informed of the cruelty happening in her own backyard. If you are interested in learning how to help fight against human trafficking, you can check out Clemson’s chapter of International Justice Mission, an organization focused on raising awareness of modern-day slavery.