As South Florida prepares to host matches for the FIFA World Cup, authorities are bracing for more than just the crowds. Thousands of people are expected to flock to the region for the games, and officials are warning that the influx could bring a rise in human trafficking.
To meet that risk, a task force has been assembled made up of 70 law enforcement agencies, including state and federal partners. The aim is to coordinate the response across jurisdictions during the period when visitor numbers are at their highest.
Advocates describe the conditions around a major event as a dangerous mix. An expected influx in drugs, alcohol and prostitution was described as the kind of combination, a trifecta, that can drive trafficking when so many visitors arrive at once.
One of the organisations preparing for the surge is Camillus House. Erika Pineros, the director of anti-trafficking services there, said the group is opening 50 additional beds for trafficking victims during the World Cup games, in anticipation of greater need.
Those working with victims caution that the problem is often hidden. The girls are not going to point to a pimp, Pineros said, explaining that victims frequently describe the person exploiting them as a boyfriend instead, which makes the abuse harder to detect.
She added that the exploitation does not always come from strangers. In some cases, she said, she has seen parents do it to their own children, underlining how close to home the danger can be and how difficult it can be for outsiders to spot.
Even as prevention efforts ramp up, enforcement is already underway, with suspects facing felony charges, including trafficking of minors. Officials hope the extra beds will not all be needed, but they say they would rather be prepared than caught short during the tournament.