The Super Bowl is one of the biggest sporting events in the world, but beneath the glitz, glamour, and roaring crowds, it is also one of the largest human trafficking hubs in the United States. Every year, traffickers exploit the influx of visitors, using the event as a cover for a dark underworld of coercion and exploitation. For Sarah*, a mother of two, the Super Bowl weekend became both her lowest point and the beginning of a miraculous escape.
Falling Prey to a Romeo Trafficker
Sarah never imagined she would become a victim of human trafficking. A devoted mother, she had always worked hard to provide for her two children, Jason (8) and Lily (5), juggling two jobs while trying to make ends meet. But when financial stress overwhelmed her, she became vulnerable to the sweet words of a man who seemed to have all the answers.
His name was Marcus, and he was everything she thought she needed. Charming, supportive, and financially secure, he presented himself as a dream come true. He helped with bills, bought gifts for her children, and painted a picture of a better future. But the dream soon turned into a nightmare.
At first, Marcus suggested small “favors” to help them make extra money—just a dinner with a friend of his, a night out with a businessman. When she hesitated, he reminded her of everything he had done for her. Slowly, the pressure built. He isolated her from family and friends, manipulated her emotions, and used her love for her children as leverage. By the time she realized what was happening, she was trapped in a cycle of fear and dependency.
The Super Bowl Nightmare
As the Super Bowl weekend approached, Marcus told Sarah they were taking a trip. He booked a hotel room, gave her new clothes, and assured her that this would be a “big opportunity” to make real money. But when she arrived, she saw the truth—other women, controlled by men like Marcus, being sold to wealthy clients flown in for the event.
Desperate and terrified, Sarah tried to refuse, but Marcus turned violent. He threatened her children, saying he had people watching them back home. The fear was paralyzing. With no way out, she felt hopeless, believing she would never escape.
A Lifeline from Rahab’s Daughters
What Sarah didn’t know was that Rahab’s Daughters had boots on the ground, working undercover at the Super Bowl to rescue women just like her. Volunteers, trained in identifying trafficking victims, had been scouring high-risk locations—hotels, parties, and online ads.
Every year, we mobilize a team of volunteers, advocates, and law enforcement partners to reach victims trapped in trafficking at the Super Bowl. But this work is only possible through your support.
Your donation can help fund safe housing, trauma-informed counseling, and essential resources for survivors. Every dollar makes a difference. Donate here.
Join our mission as a volunteer—whether on the ground or remotely, you can be a part of this life-changing rescue operation. Sign up here.
One of our Rahab’s Daughters outreach workers, disguised as a tourist, noticed Sarah’s distress. When she was alone for a brief moment, they discreetly slipped her a note:
“You are treasured. Call or text if you need anything.”
Sarah hesitated. Could she trust them? What if Marcus found out? But in that moment, she realized that staying meant death—maybe not physically, but spiritually and emotionally. She typed the message with shaking fingers and pressed send.
Within minutes, Rahab’s Daughters mobilized their team. Law enforcement partners intercepted Marcus, while Sarah was quickly extracted and taken to a secure location. She had escaped, but the real battle was just beginning.
The Fight to Heal and Rebuild
Rehabilitation was not easy. Sarah struggled with overwhelming guilt and shame. Could she ever be a good mother again? Could she undo the damage Marcus had inflicted on her spirit?
Rahab’s Daughters provided her with a safe house where she and her children could stay. There, she received trauma-informed counseling, job training, and spiritual mentorship.
At first, she resisted. The wounds ran deep, and she had been conditioned to believe she was worthless. But through the patient love of advocates and the unwavering support of her caseworkers, she began to heal.
One of her mentors, a survivor-turned-advocate, told her:
“You are not what happened to you. You are not what they called you. You are who God says you are—redeemed, loved, and made new.”
Sarah began to see herself differently. She started therapy, attended parenting classes, and worked with a financial coach to gain independence. She found a church community that welcomed her without judgment, and for the first time in years, she felt hope.
A New Beginning
A year later, Sarah had a stable job, a new home, and a fresh start. Her children, once confused and frightened, were thriving in school. She no longer lived in fear. Instead, she found strength in her faith and in the support of those who had helped her escape.
She now works as a survivor advocate, helping other women find their way out of trafficking. Every Super Bowl, she volunteers with Rahab’s Daughters, determined to be the same lifeline for someone else that was given to her.
“I lost myself for a while,” she says, “but God never lost me. He sent people to pull me out, and now I get to do the same for others.”
The Power of Advocacy and Faith
Sarah’s story is a testament to the resilience of survivors and the importance of organizations like Rahab’s Daughters. Without intervention, she might never have escaped. But because of the tireless work of advocates, law enforcement, and faith-driven organizations, she and her children now have a future filled with hope.
Trafficking doesn’t end with rescue. True freedom comes through healing, community, and faith. And as long as there are people willing to fight for the most vulnerable, stories like Sarah’s will continue to have a different ending—one of redemption, restoration, and a new life.
(Name changed for privacy.)
Be Part of the Rescue at Super Bowl 2025
Rahab’s Daughters will be on the ground once again, working tirelessly to rescue and restore lives like Sarah’s. But we need your help to make a lasting impact.
Donate – Your support funds safe housing, trauma-informed care, and essential resources for survivors. Every dollar brings hope and healing. Donate here.
Volunteer – Join us in our mission. Whether on the ground or from afar, your time and skills can help save lives. Sign up here.
Together, we can make Super Bowl 2025 a place of freedom, not fear. Will you stand with us?