A recent article published by Atlanta’s WJBF Channel 6 News highlighted the city’s focus on human trafficking as it prepares for the coming FIFA World Cup this Summer. However, that focus is limited to only one form of human trafficking – sex trafficking – while evidence points to other forms of trafficking, namely forced labor, as being a notable risk as the city prepares for World Cup visitors.  

Statewide statistics show that at least a quarter of trafficking victims in Georgia are exploited for their labor. In addition, many victims of sex trafficking are also victims of labor trafficking demonstrating the need for a comprehensive anti-trafficking strategy.  

Trafficking risks increase, but maybe not the way you think 

Prior to major sporting events there is widely held belief that there will be an uptick in sex trafficking. But the extent to which sporting events drive an increase in trafficking for sexual exploitation is not well evidenced. Some advocates even call it a myth. And many anti-human trafficking organizations, including Freedom United, member of Play Fair ATL– a coalition aiming to ensure that the communities and people who make the games possible in Atlanta benefit from the upcoming events and that everyone involved is protected from harm- feel the singular focus on sex trafficking during major sporting events may be covering up an ugly truth. That more prevalent forms of modern slavery are being ignored.  

The WJBF article cites Atlanta Attorney General Chris Carr as warning that large-scale sporting events create opportunities for sex traffickers due to increased travel, crowds, and demand. But those same signifiers also increase vulnerability to labor trafficking and exploitation. And globally, according to the International Labor Organization (ILO), labor trafficking happens at significantly higher rates than sex trafficking. At a national level, while the US and Georgia do report higher rates of sex trafficking, advocacy groups say that data is hugely inaccurate. Experts agree large numbers of labor trafficking victims in the US are going uncounted due to underreporting of this form of trafficking.  

As is the case in many other jurisdictions, victims’ vulnerability, low conviction rates, and prejudice contribute to a lack of identification. In addition, reporting gaps means hotline data and criminal statistics in the US and in Georgia represent only a fraction of the real number of labor trafficking victims. And sadly, labor exploitation by sub-contractors constructing, supplying, organizing or running large sporting events is all too common. Those hired to clean venues or operate concessions, manufacture souvenirs or make fan jerseys are all at higher risk of exploitation as demands increase. Tragically, this is doubly so in the current climate of fear. Recent ICE raids and violent crackdowns on undocumented, low wage workers mean the risk of reporting exploitation is too great. Better to stay quiet and remain in exploitation.   

Will history repeat itself? 

Subcontracted workers during the Qatar World Cup reported receiving “substantially less pay for the same work and were subject to the most serious abuses, including passport confiscation and delayed wages with illegal deductions”. Sadly, those are just a few of the many well documented labor abuses during the last World Cup. Pointedly, less than a year ago in the US a trafficking scheme was found forcing migrants to work without pay and stealing their wages from a local McDonald’s where they were forced to work. And that case is just one of hundreds more like it across the US that include regular wage theft, dangerous working conditions and illegal working hours among other abuses.  

Put the money where the impact is 

Another important point to underline is according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, 83% of ALL trafficking victims in the US, including sex trafficking, are most often entrapped by someone they know. That means family members or caregivers (think foster care), intimate partners, or employers are the people most likely to become someone’s traffickers, not strangers they just met. So, asking for increased funding for law enforcement to monitor “high-risk trafficking routes” may not be the most effective or impactful strategy. State leaders are saying awareness and enforcement will be key as Atlanta prepares to welcome the world for the FIFA World Cup, and we at Freedom United agree. But what that awareness and preparation looks like, and how it is implemented is vital to what impact the games will have on Atlanta residents and visitors.  

What we need then is not merely additional funding to expand enforcement along the Interstates and areas considered “high-risk trafficking routes” due to the misperception that is the best way to stop exploitation. To prevent all forms of human trafficking and modern slavery from being part of the Atlanta games we need more than that. We need policies that require The Host Committee and any entities contracting on its behalf to adopt a Responsible Contractor Policy for all World Cup-related contracts, ensuring dignified work and fair compensation. We also need to obligate suppliers and vendors to engage in and report on supply chain due diligence as well as provide effective reporting mechanisms vetted by survivors so victims can safely report ANY form of abuse and exploitation without the fear of being criminalized themselves. And that is just the start.  

Good policy and good enforcement will lead to good games 

As mentioned previously, Freedom United has joined a coalition of organizations called Play Fair ATL aiming to ensure that the communities and people who make the games possible in Atlanta benefit from the upcoming events and that everyone involved is protected from harm. We believe it is possible for Atlanta, and the US, to host a world-class World Cup that brings good jobs, better transit, environmental protections, immigrant and criminal justice equity, fair housing, and freedom from modern slavery for everyone who calls this city home and for the visitors who come just for the games. Towards that Play Fair ATL drafted policy priorities to help ensure the event is fair for residents, workers, and immigrant communities and to hold the city accountable on housing, justice, labor, transit, the environment, and immigrant rights. The road map to a World Cup that will help prevent human trafficking in all its forms and provides protection to every person involved, from the star players in the arena to the cleaners in the stands to the merchandise makers in overseas factories, sits in front of us. Will we take it or is Atlanta going to repeat the painful pathway of its Olympic history.  

Rebekah Enoch is a Program Manager at Freedom United and has worked in the anti-human trafficking sector for 6 years. Rebekah also has over 20 years of experience working on human rights issues and she is currently a member of the Global Association of Human Trafficking Scholars.  

A member of Play Fair ATL, Freedom United is a global anti-modern slavery and human trafficking organization that aims to make modern slavery an issue that people can see and solve by educating and empowering people on the realities of modern slavery.