There’s no evidence that mega-events increase trafficking — but the myth keeps justifying more policing while survivor services are cut.
Raids create headlines, not safety.
Real safety comes from housing, healthcare, labor rights, and resource access.
Sources cited:
Boecking, B., Miller, K., Kennedy, E., & Dubrawski, A. (2019). Quantifying the Relationship between Large Public Events and Escort Advertising Behavior. Journal of Human Trafficking, 5(3), 220–237. https://doi.org/10.1080/23322705.2018.1458488
Fuentes, K., Levitt, L., Soriano, K. et al. SESTA/FOSTA as de Facto Hate Policy: Combatting Carceral Investments and Uplifting Community-Based Solutions. Sex Res Soc Policy 22, 1705–1716 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-024-01075-3 (mentioned as SWOPLA 2023 study)
Gould International Human Rights Clinic, University of Southern California. (2021). Over-Policing Sex Trafficking: How U.S. Law Enforcement Should Reform Operations. https://humanrightsclinic.usc.edu/2021/11/15/over-policing-sex-trafficking-how-u-s-law-enforcement-should-reform-operations/ (mentioned as 2021 report)
Martin, L., & Hill, A. (2019). Debunking the Myth of ‘Super Bowl Sex Trafficking’: Media hype or evidence-based coverage. Anti-Trafficking Review, (13), 13–29. https://doi.org/10.14197/atr.201219132