Photo: A fan stands up to cheer on for the defense; similarly, football players are standing up to defend anti-human trafficking efforts. (Getty Images)
We already know that sex slavery isn't just an "over there" issue, and that right here in America young girls are being forced into prostitution — but would you have guessed that the Super Bowl is a hub for child trafficking and exploitation?
During this weekend's big game at Cowboy Stadium, throngs of fans and partygoers will flood the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Tragically, somewhere in the mix there will be a dramatically increased demand for trafficked sex workers. As part of a new initiative called I'm Not Buying It, Dallas Cowboy Jay Ratliff puts his foot down: "Real men don't buy children."
During the past couple of Super Bowls, dozens of underage girls have been rescued, many of whom were registered as missing children. These 50 or so success stories, however, are just a drop in the bucket of thousands of trafficked females up for sale. According to the organization Love 146, "over 100,000 US children are forcefully engaged in prostitution or pornography each year."
There are things you can do to fight it. Help support a Change.org petition that's asking the NFL Host Committee to endorse the I'm Not Buying It campaign. "According to the Dallas Police Department children exploited through sex trafficking have an average life expectancy [that] is just seven short years," it reads. "The average age a child is tricked and trapped in sexual slavery is just 13 years old." Be aware of red flags in your community and speak up if your gut tells you something isn't right — whether with kids you know, adults you see or situations that just seem wrong.
All of that having been said, don't go feeling guilty if you're a football fan. Eat your nachos, lose your voice, rate commercials and enjoy the show. Be the example "real men" can follow.
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