In the summer of 2010, the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago took a corporate stance against human trafficking. Human trafficking refers to buying, selling, or smuggling people, both adults and children, and forcing them into sexual slavery or other types of indentured servitude. Victims may come from the United States or from around the world, and are often lured by promises of a better life. Evidence suggests that human trafficking increases around major sporting events, such as  Super Bowl XLVI, which is being held this year in Indianapolis on February 5. By raising awareness of human trafficking, the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago are one of many groups working to combat the problem. 

Although hard statistics on human trafficking directly related to events such as the Super Bowl, the Olympics, or the World Cup are hard to come by, during the weekend of the Super Bowl in 2010, the number of local ads for escorts in Miami on the internet tripled. In the twelve days before the 2011 Super Bowl, some 133 arrests related to human trafficking and the sex trade were made in Texas. This January, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels signed into law, regulations which broaden the scope of the individuals who can be prosecuted for these crimes, strengthen the laws, and make it easier to prosecute those involved in human trafficking. 

In addition to the stricter laws, such groups as the Coalition for Corporate Responsibility in Indiana and Michigan (CCRIM) — which includes members of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious—are working to alert hotel managers and employees, as well as service providers such as cab drivers, about the issue. Members of the coalition are providing training for recognizing signs of human trafficking, helping develop plans for employees to follow should they suspect trafficking, and providing basic information on human trafficking, as well as the contact information for local groups that address trafficking issues in Indianapolis. Although human trafficking is a year-round issue, major sporting events such as the Super Bowl increase the problem, but also the opportunity to bring the issue to people’s attention. Education of the public is one of the steps to solving the problem of human trafficking.

For more information about efforts to eliminate human trafficking, in all its forms, please visit these websites:

The Eighth Day Center for Peace and Justice Winter 2011 Issue is devoted to the many issues related to trafficking.

The Benedictine Sisters of Chicago are one of the sponsors for Stop Trafficking, a monthly newsletter against human trafficking.

Humantrafficking.org is a website dedicated to stopping trafficking through educating the public.