Commentary: Ending Human Trafficking in Sport - A Playbook for Forward Progress

Abstract

Human trafficking of athletes was recognized by the U.S. Department of State (2020) Trafficking in Persons Report and issued a call for nationwide and international public awareness campaigns. Many aspiring athletes are lured into human trafficking with the false promise of playing for a professional team, which may involve crossing state and national borders. Social workers, in particular, are at the forefront of the anti-trafficking movement (Enrile, 2018; Healy, 2015). This commentary provides a playbook with targeted initiatives sport social workers can take to battle human trafficking in sport.