Ahead of the NBA All-Star Weekend, Indiana’s attorney general is asking fans to watch for signs of human trafficking.
Over 100,000 sports fans are expected to visit Indianapolis this week for the 2024 NBA All-Star games. Large events with out-of-town spectators are known to create an increased risk of human trafficking, according to a news release from Attorney General Todd Rokita.
People in certain jobs— such as medical professionals, restaurant workers, hotel staff and truck drivers — are particularly likely to come into contact with trafficking victims, the news release says.
Human trafficking is a multi-billion-dollar criminal enterprise. It occurs anytime someone uses force, fraud or coercion to make another individual provide labor, services or commercial sex acts. If the person performing commercial sex acts is under 18, the crime of human trafficking still occurs, even without the elements of force, fraud or coercion, according to the news release.
According to the U.S. State Department, signs that someone might be a victim of trafficking include observations that they:
- Live with their employer.
- Live with multiple people in a cramped space, or otherwise experience poor living conditions.
- Are prohibited from speaking alone to strangers.
- Give answers that appear to be scripted and rehearsed.
- Have an employer holding their identity documents.
- Show signs of physical abuse.
- Are submissive or fearful.
- Are unpaid or paid very little.
- Are under 18 and working in the commercial sex industry.
If you suspect that someone is being trafficked, you should immediately call local law enforcement. You can also call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
