SEX TRAFFICKING AND THE SUPER BOWL: A CONNECTION BETWEEN MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING JENNIFER E. FREDERICKS A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Mercyhurst University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for The Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED INTELLIGENCE RIDGE COLLEGE OF INTELLIGENCE STUDIES AND APPLIED SCIENCES MERCYHURST UNIVERSITY ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA MAY 2016 RIDGE COLLEGE OF INTELLIGENCE STUDIES AND APPLIED SCIENCES MERCYHURST UNIVERSITY ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA SEX TRAFFICKING AND THE SUPER BOWL: A CONNECTION BETWEEN MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Mercyhurst University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for The Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED INTELLIGENCE Submitted By: JENNIFER E. FREDERICKS Certificate of Approval: ___________________________________ Stephen Zidek, M.A. Assistant Professor Ridge College of Intelligence Studies and Applied Sciences ___________________________________ William J. Welch, M.S. Instructor Ridge College of Intelligence Studies and Applied Sciences ___________________________________ David J. Dausey, Ph.D. Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Mercyhurst University May 2016 Copyright © 2016 by Jennifer E. Fredericks All rights reserved. iii DEDICATION This study is dedicated to my family and friends who patiently dealt with me throughout this ordeal. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank Mr. Stephen Zidek for his help and support as my main advisor throughout this thesis process. I would also like to thank Mr. William Welch for all help and support as my secondary advisor throughout this thesis process. In addition, I would like to thank Dr. Dawn Wozneak throughout my studies at Mercyhurst University. v ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS Sex Trafficking and the Super Bowl: A Connection Between Major Sporting Events and Human Trafficking A Critical Examination By Jennifer E. Fredericks Master of Science in Applied Intelligence Mercyhurst University, 2016 Professor Stephen Zidek, Chair The goal of this study is to understand the connection between major sporting events and human trafficking. It takes a mixed method approach to examine what was predicted, what actually happened and preventative measures taken during several major sporting events around the world to prevent sex trafficking. The second portion of the study performed a content analysis of escort ads placed on Backpage during the 2016 Super Bowl. This was done by compiling a list of sex trafficking indicators for online classifieds and other escort websites. The data captured during the study shows a strong connection between sex trafficking and major sporting events. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................... ix LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................. x LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................................. xii INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 1 Background of the Problem .................................................................................................. 3 Statement of the Problem ...................................................................................................... 4 Purpose of the Study ............................................................................................................. 7 Methodology ......................................................................................................................... 8 Research Questions ............................................................................................................... 9 Significance of the Study ...................................................................................................... 9 Definition of Terms............................................................................................................... 9 Assumptions and Limitations ............................................................................................. 10 Nature of the Study (Conceptual Framework) .................................................................... 11 Organization of the Remainder of the Study ...................................................................... 11 LITERATURE REVIEW ....................................................................................................... 12 Introduction to the Literature Review ................................................................................. 12 Theoretical Framework ....................................................................................................... 13 Human Trafficking and the United States ...................................................................... 13 Law Enforcement and Human Trafficking ..................................................................... 18 Internet and Human Trafficking ..................................................................................... 21 Major Sporting Events and Human Trafficking ............................................................. 24 Sex Trafficking and the Olympics .................................................................................. 28 Sex Trafficking and the World Cup ................................................................................ 30 Sex Trafficking and the Super Bowl ............................................................................... 32 Sex Trafficking and Other Sporting Events .................................................................... 34 Review of the Methodological Literature ........................................................................... 35 Chapter 2 Summary ............................................................................................................ 38 METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................................. 39 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 39 Research Design.................................................................................................................. 40 Selection of Cases ............................................................................................................... 42 vii Population/Sample .............................................................................................................. 42 Setting ................................................................................................................................. 44 Instruments/Measures ......................................................................................................... 45 Data Collection ................................................................................................................... 45 Data Analysis ...................................................................................................................... 46 Ethical Considerations ........................................................................................................ 48 Chapter 3 Summary ............................................................................................................ 49 RESULTS ............................................................................................................................... 50 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 50 2004 Athens Greece Olympics ........................................................................................... 50 2006 Berlin Germany World Cup ....................................................................................... 53 2010 Johannesburg South Africa World Cup ..................................................................... 57 2011 Dallas Texas Super Bowl ........................................................................................... 60 2016 Santa Clara, California Super Bowl ........................................................................... 63 Background ..................................................................................................................... 63 Main Results .................................................................................................................... 64 Add Placement Data ....................................................................................................... 65 Indicator Analysis ........................................................................................................... 73 Summary ............................................................................................................................. 82 CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................................... 83 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 83 Summary of the Study ........................................................................................................ 83 Discussion of the Findings .................................................................................................