Remember events like the Super Bowl offer a great opportunity to raise awareness on human trafficking and on February 8, that opportunity will once again arise as Super Bowl LX takes place in Santa Clara, California. Yet, as we inch near this large sporting event, it is important to remember that it isn’t the only occasion that requires us to direct our attention to the victims of human trafficking – just one of the more well-known.
Talk to your friends, neighbors and family members during Super Bowl parties to raise awareness about human trafficking. Make sure they know that human trafficking is taking place during this event.
Inform them of the following:
A few ways that we can help victims and raise awareness are as follows:
• Learn the signs. How can we “say something” if we don’t know what we’re looking for? Shared Hope International offers excellent resources that explain these signs. Their resource section also includes an “On the Road Warning Signs” document that explains in detail what to look for while traveling. Some of these signs include the suspected victim having someone watch over their every move, having branding on them, being afraid, not speaking freely, showing signs of injuries, not having access to their ID, etc.
• Be bold. If you see something, say something. Never take matters into your own hands. There are trained individuals ready to act in these situations, but by noticing these signs and calling the proper personnel, you are giving help to those in need.
• TO REPORT A TIP OR CONNECT WITH ANTI-TRAFFICKING SERVICES IN YOUR AREA, CONTACT:
• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children 1-800-843-5678 If you have information about a missing child or suspected child sexual exploitation, call to report it or visit their website. cybertipline.com
• IN AN EMERGENCY: Dial 911
• National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888 – A national, toll-free hotline, available from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year.
The most important thing we can do for those trapped in this lifestyle is to pray. Those who have experienced this life are carrying more trauma than many of us can imagine, and their recovery needs afterward are extensive. Oftentimes, even if rescued, the weight of this trauma can be challenging for these victims to process. Pray specifically that these victims are found and that someone shows them the love of Jesus.
Prayer to End Human Trafficking
Eternal God,
Source of justice, mercy, and unending love,
we come before You with heavy hearts,
grieving for the countless lives stolen,
their dignity stripped away,
and the hope dimmed by the darkness of human trafficking.
Lord, You see every hidden place,
every locked room,
every shadow where exploitation thrives.
You know the names, the faces, the stories
of each person trapped in fear and oppression.
We lift them to You now—
those who are missing,
those who are silenced,
those who are crying out in the quiet of their souls.
Break the chains, O God.
Shatter the systems of greed, corruption, and violence
that allow this evil to persist.
Expose the traffickers,
disrupt their networks,
and bring them swiftly to justice.
Pour out courage upon survivors—
that they may find safety, healing, and restoration.
Surround them with people who will protect,
listen, and walk with them toward freedom.
Heal the wounds that no one else can see—
the deep scars of fear, shame, and betrayal.
Strengthen those on the front lines—
rescue workers, law enforcement, advocates, and counselors.
Give them wisdom, endurance, and compassion
to persevere in this fight.
Let their work be fruitful,
and let their hearts be guarded from despair.
Lord, stir our own hearts to action.
Do not let us turn away in comfort or indifference.
Teach us to speak for the voiceless,
to notice the signs of exploitation,
and to use our resources, influence, and prayers
to bring light into the darkest places.
Amen.