The Bay Area is set to host two major international events this year – the Super Bowl and World Cup. Historically, high-profile events not only attract millions of fans, but also can lead to a spike in human trafficking. In the midst of human trafficking awareness month, law enforcement and advocacy groups are stepping up their efforts to prevent it. Human trafficking and sexual exploitation in San Francisco and the Bay Area are issues authorities face year-round; but with the Super Bowl and World Cup events on the horizon, Mayor Lurie says they’re preparing for a possible spike. “These events are going to bring energy, they’re going to bring opportunity, they’re gonna bring joy. But they also bring increased risk. Large crowds, heavy travel and economic pressure can create conditions where we know trafficking increases,” Lurie said. At the annual San Francisco Collaborative Against Human Trafficking event, Lurie was joined by the district attorneys from Santa Clara County, Marin County, and San Francisco to collaborate across the region to ensure safety for everyone coming in for the events. They’re also continuing to work with groups who support the victims of exploitation. “What that means is having an army of victim’s advocates who are working independently out of our offices, but work with community-based organizations to respond, to assist those victims,” said Brooke Jenkins, San Francisco District Attorney. There’s an array of advocacy groups that help guide victims of exploitation through the legal system and into support programs, but finding those groups may not always be obvious. Victim’s advocate Adriana Flores with Solara House and Restorative Pathways says there are lots of other avenues for victims to find help. “Church or any spiritual denomination that you want to trust in the community. School, that’s another great resource. The police,” Flores said. Local police agencies have now trained their officers to recognize signs of human trafficking. They also stress those officers are not allowed to report or cooperate with federal immigration agencies if victims are undocumented. Human trafficking awareness also means making the public aware. There is a series of posters and signs that should be going up in key public spaces to help people know about this issue and to advertise a hotline for witnesses to report something suspicious they saw or for victims to seek help. ...read more read less