Law enforcement and advocates are raising awareness, hoping more people learn the tools to spot and stop victims from harm.
HOUSTON — Large crowds bring large human trafficking risks. That’s the message from city officials ahead of the FIFA World Cup coming to Houston. Law enforcement and advocates are raising awareness, hoping more people learn the tools to spot and stop victims from harm.
In just a couple of months, this area will be transformed to welcome millions from around the globe. But the beauty of the moment and the matches, officials say, can come with an ugly side: human trafficking.
The excitement is growing in Houston for the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup. And people like Rhonda Kuykendall said it is also setting the stage for would-be sex traffickers and prostitution.
“FIFA in particular is a world event. That means people are coming from all over the world and sometimes in places where it is legalized,” said Kuykendall.
With millions passing daily through our airports, the Houston Host Committee has deemed human trafficking high risk. Although adults are primary victims, children make up a third of those targeted. Kuykendall knows. because it’s her story.
“I’m a survivor of familial sex trafficking.”
She was only 10-years-old.
“I did live it, here in Houston. I was brought in from Fort Bend County, taking it into Houston. Eventually, I was flown out in our airports.”
And it’s not just happening at airports, advocates say, hotels and short-term rentals are often used in trafficking because they allow anonymity.
A joint HPD and the FBI trafficking prostitution task force is already in place, with others receiving training to spot possible victims at our airports, NRG Stadium, and elsewhere.
“Let me also get a notice today, to the bad guys. We’re looking for you and the bad women who would facilitate the trafficking. We’re looking for you,” Mayor John Whitmire said.
And if you’re going to matches, experts say, warning signs include: someone who looks scared, or unable to speak freely, has few personal belongings, and avoids eye contact.
“We have to start educating parents on this issue, educating them that we need to start talking about this at younger and younger ages and really normalizing the conversation and how to protect kids,” said Kuykendall.
This work advocates say won’t stop after the FIFA World Cup ends. Tuesday, $45,000 were raised to support local anti-trafficking organizations.
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