Over 80 victims rescued and almost 500 arrested during the Super Bowl trafficking operation

Some undeniable facts

• Trafficking is the fastest-growing and second-largest criminal enterprise in the world.
• The United States is one of the main origins and destinations.
• It is estimated to be a $38 to $50 billion a year industry in the United States alone. No one knows the real number, because most of it is unreported.
• It happens all the time, in every community.
• It can happen to anyone of any age, but a significant share of victims are children.
• Large events like the Super Bowl increase the demand, and therefore the supply.
• Southern California has always been a hotspot: proximity to the border and a large entertainment industry make it a prime location.
• If more people knew what to look for and how to safely intervene and report, more victims could be rescued and more harm prevented.

Some questions worth asking

• Why would anyone want us to believe it is not happening, or not a threat?
• Why would anyone not want people aware and on the lookout for children being harmed? Even if it were happening to only a few children, which is a wild underestimate, why deter anyone from taking it seriously?
• Why make an effort to suppress and discredit the truth?
• Does ignoring the problem reduce an offender's ability to operate? Does it help children? Who does it help?
• What will you do about it?

Making a difference: V4CR and Untrafficked

Thank you to our allies at Untrafficked for taking action. Our joint campaign used geo-fencing to reach every communication device within a ten-mile radius of the Super Bowl with intelligence on what to look for and how to safely intervene and report.

Collaboration is key to ensure we have maximum impact. It's an honor to team up with V4CR as we continue our quest to untraffick America.

Eric Colton, chairman of Untrafficked

What to do if you see it

Observe

• Remain calm. Do not draw attention to yourself.
• Observe the situation and look for the signs.
• If you are unsure and the situation seems safe, make small talk and watch the child's reaction. Are they responsive and coherent? Do they answer for themselves, or seem scripted and controlled by the adult? Do they seem nervous or anxious? Does the adult whisk them away when you speak? Is the child's body language signalling for help?

Report

• Move to a safe distance and make sure you have the details.
• Call 911 or your local law enforcement agency. If you are somewhere with security or a customer-service desk, tell them and ask them to call 911.
• If you believe they have not acted, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text BeFree to 233733.
• Homeland Security Investigations: 866-347-2423. FBI tips: 1-800-225-5324.
• NCMEC: report.cybertip.org or 1-800-843-5678.

Be able to describe who you saw, what you saw (vehicle, plate, make and model, building, social-media account), when, where and why it seemed suspicious. You may be routed to an agency that specialises in kidnapping and trafficking; the most important thing you can do is get the details right. You can ask to remain anonymous. Full reporting guide.