New Jersey to address human trafficking concerns

Lina Portman4 weeks ago

0 2 minutes read

With two years until the FIFA World Cup comes to the Garden State, lawmakers are beginning to take steps to prepare for problems that could arise when visitors from around the world come to the region.

At a hearing Thursday morning by the Assembly Judiciary Committee, experts and advocates highlighted what can be done to prevent human trafficking, including during the 2026 tournament.

“We want to make sure we are doing everything we can to prevent an increase in human trafficking and to protect vulnerable populations,” said Assembly Member and committee chair Ellen Park.

What did the defenders say?

Gina Cavallo and Stephen DeLuca, board members of the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking, told the committee that trafficking can be linked to forced labor or sex and is due to ” abuse and exploitation.

DeLuca said New Jersey experiences significant human trafficking because it is one of the most densely populated states and a major transportation hub and noted there was concern about global scale when FIFA announced that Qatar would host the 2022 tournament.

Workers have since filed lawsuits in the United States against contractors over stadium construction for that tournament, he said.

Cavallo said “demand for sex and work increases when major events take place” but can be “curbed through effective messaging and a strong law enforcement presence.”

She spoke about her own experience as a trafficking victim and said resources need to be made available so victims feel safe to speak out and get help.

Cavallo also stressed the importance of making survivors part of the council and the solution because they can see and interact more with the people they are helping.

Committee members asked about services and education for victims and Cavallo explained that she speaks to all age groups while DeLuca talked about working with national affiliates.

How they feel:Poll finds one-third of New Jersey residents know the state is hosting 2026 FIFA World Cup matches.

What did state officials say?

Stephan Finkel, Theresa Hilton and Patricia Teffenhart from the National Commission on Human Trafficking were also present.

Finkel opened the panel by emphasizing that the World Cup is not only coming, but is already here for all intents and purposes, and therefore it is important to fill the vacancies on the commission and “to have a full complement”.

“There is so much work. We need expertise,” he said. “Anyone who has a recommendation for someone who would be good on the committee, anyone who has influence with the Speaker of the Assembly who has two recommendations or the President of the Senate who has two recommendations, that would be welcome.”

Teffenhart told the committee that the commission's work focuses on best practices and helping victims in ways that don't re-traumatize them.

Hilton said the commission was already in communication with the World Cup host committee and outlined policies already in place in the state to combat human trafficking and domestic violence.

The committee ultimately passed a package of bills aimed at raising awareness and education about human trafficking as well as creating additional protections for victims. Among the bills, one sought to create a Governor's Survivor Leadership Advisory Council, tasked with providing a report to the governor and the Legislature on anti-trafficking efforts in the state as a host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Under the bill, council members will recruit trafficking survivors who have experience providing assistance and services to victims of human trafficking.

Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. Email: [email protected]

What did the defenders say?

Lina Portman

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