Authorities in New Jersey are doubling their efforts against sex trafficking ahead of next month’s Super Bowl.
Hundreds of thousands of fans are expected to head to East Rutherford, N.J., for the Feb. 2 game.
State officials have set up new training for law enforcement, hospitality workers and airport employees to help identify signs of sex trafficking.
“New Jersey has a huge trafficking problem,” said Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., co-chairman of the House anti-human trafficking caucus.
“One Super Bowl after another after another has shown itself to be one of the largest events in the world where the cruelty of human trafficking goes on for several weeks,” he said.
Local churches are also working to bring awareness to the issue. Many believe New Jersey will appeal to sex traffickers because of its highway system, proximity to New York City, and its diverse population.
“The Super Bowl is a huge, huge arena for sex trafficking,” trafficking survivor Danielle Douglas said.
Some visitors “are coming to the Super Bowl not even to watch football—they are coming to the Super Bowl to have sex with women, and/or men or children,” she added.
