S2E8: Preventing Human Trafficking and Abuses in Sports with Claudia Villa

Brian J Matos

While the world watches in amazement as the best athletes on Earth compete for the top global prizes in their respective sport, there are criminals lurking in the shadows of these events and behind the scenes.

Joining Brian to discuss the dark sidelines of these international competitions is Claudia Villa. She is an International Safeguarding Specialist & Consultant with experiences working in humanitarian and sport safeguarding, including International Sport Federations, National Governing Bodies, Sport Governance and Management as well as Major Event Hosting.

As a Safeguarding Advisor, Claudia ensures that the Centre for Sport & Human Rights’ safeguarding governance, systems, policy and procedures are implemented effectively across the organisation. Claudia also advises on safeguarding best practices across different projects that the Centre for Sport & Human Rights is undertaking. In addition, Claudia is part of the Council of Europe pool of international experts on safe sport and International Safeguards for Children in Sport working group.

In this conversation, Brian and Claudia cover a range of human rights issues related to major sporting events inlcuding the exploitation of athletes and event workers as well as criminal groups who target attendees, tourists and immigrants as well as children and other vulnerable people.

Claudia highlights the need for awareness and prevention measures, as well as the importance of establishing clear jurisdiction for law enforcement and collaboration among a complex web of stakeholders. She emphasizes the need for clear policies, procedures, and independent oversight to protect athletes, fans, local populations and workers. She also discusses the role of attendees and sponsors in promoting safeguarding protocols.

To learn more about Claudia Villa and her work:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudia-villa-757a9a41/
• Website: https://www.sporthumanrights.org/about-us/who-we-are/claudia-villa

Human Trafficking is a crime involving the exploitation of someone for the purposes of compelled labor or a commercial sex act through the use of force, fraud, or coercion. Where a person younger than 18 is induced to perform a commercial sex act, it is a crime regardless of whether there is any force, fraud, or coercion. Victims can be anyone from around the world or right next door: women and men, adults and children, citizens and noncitizens alike.

If you live in the United States, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 to:

• GET HELP and connect with a service provider in your area;
• REPORT A TIP with information on potential human trafficking activity; or
• LEARN MORE by requesting training, technical assistance, or resources.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline is a national, toll-free hotline available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. The Hotline is not a law enforcement or immigration authority and is operated by a nongovernmental organization funded by the Federal government.

Individuals across the world can report suspicious criminal activity to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tip Line. The Tip Line is accessible internationally by calling 1-802-872-6199. Highly trained specialists take reports from both the public and law enforcement agencies on more than 400 laws enforced by ICE HSI, including those related to human trafficking.

If you suspect someone in your community may be a victim of human trafficking or abuse, the U.S. State Department has compiled a full list of resources including the ones listed in this description: https://www.state.gov/domestic-trafficking-hotlines/ and most countries around the world have set up sites with similar resources for their constituents.

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