Kansas City World Cup can shine a light on human trafficking | Opinion
As the FIFA World Cup brings a wave of celebration and draws legions of soccer fans from around the world to the heart of America, the global sporting event also inadvertently fosters conditions ripe for human trafficking.
Not just a “big city” problem, human trafficking already happens right here at home in Kansas City, and large sporting events exacerbate conditions for exploitation as tourism and temporary labor bring so many to town, and as infrastructure is stretched thin. Given that we’re located at the crossroads of multiple major interstates, we’re a significant hub for trafficking activity.
Sadly, it’s no surprise that nearly 700 people reached out to the National Human Trafficking Hotline in 2024 with tips and seeking resources and information to address situations in Missouri involving sex trafficking, labor trafficking and more.
In this context, civic organizations such as Rotary — which take action to address pressing issues locally and globally — are eager to seize the moment to bring attention to this deep-rooted problem and encourage residents of Missouri and beyond to join them in stopping sex and labor exploitation. Across state lines, the volunteer leaders of these organizations are raising awareness not only around FIFA, but also beyond the soccer frenzy, they’re also working at a grassroots level to end human trafficking while supporting those who have been or are at risk of being trafficked.
For example, the Topeka-based Rotary Club of Community Action Against Human Trafficking’s Intersection to Care initiative helps incarcerated women prepare for reintegration. At this often-precarious time, many women lack housing, income or support, making them vulnerable to trafficking (or being retrafficked), so Rotary and its partners — including the Shawnee County Adult Detention Center — provide and coordinate a variety of resources and services both in the lead-up to and after release. Centered on housing, job training and placement, health care, mental health counseling, substance use services, mentoring and more, the program helps reduce recidivism and offers participants the tools for a stable reentry into society.
And outside the Midwest, Rotary members and clubs in other World Cup host cities are stepping up to address human trafficking in a variety of ways. In Atlanta, for example, members are helping to train local law enforcement to recognize the signs of trafficking and assist those in need, while in Seattle, they are offering training and support to businesses near the games. And similar work is also taking place in Mexico.
As the most-watched sporting event in the world comes to our city, we are fortunate to have such a unique moment to educate and inspire the public about who we are and what we can accomplish. In that vein, Rotary is hosting two free public events focused on creating lasting impact in our community. On the evening of July 1 at Rockhurst University, Rotary will host a conversation about work for positive change featuring remarks from me and Rotary Peace Fellow Jennifer Montgomery, who will speak about understanding and combating human trafficking. Then on July 5 at 8 p.m., Rotary members will be hosting a candlelight vigil at the pavilion in the heart of Loose Park to recognize the survivors of human trafficking. The public is invited to attend both events.
Ultimately, we hope FIFA visitors to Kansas City will depart with a deeper understanding and awareness of both Rotary and human trafficking and be inspired to join us to end it for good.
Larry A. Lunsford, a member of the Rotary Club of Kansas City-Plaza, Missouri, is Rotary International’s president-elect. Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million volunteer leaders across more than 45,000 clubs around the world who are dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges.