Stop Raids, Save Lives:Sex Workers Demand Safety During World Cup 2026
Coalition Statement on the Impacts of Policing of Sex Workers at the FIFA World Cup.
Ahead of the FIFA World Cup, host cities are planning "anti-trafficking" police operations based on a debunked myth. The claim is that large sporting events cause spikes in sex trafficking—but no compelling empirical evidence supports this. Sex trafficking involves force, fraud, or coercion. It is not the same as consensual adult sex work. Treating the two as the same thing endangers lives.
Anti-trafficking raids, stings, and sweeps do not prevent exploitation. They punish sex workers. They displace unhoused people from harm reduction services and increase overdose risk. They set up U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detains migrants. Police profile women traveling alone. People are locked in shelters "for their own protection." These operations fund moral panic—not safety.
Artwork by Kristina Bivona @kristina_bivona
member of jargonist Inc. @jargonist_
We demand three immediate actions from local government and law enforcement:
1. End all "anti-trafficking" raids, sweeps, and encampment clearances in host zones.
These operations target consensual workers—not traffickers. Displacement scatters people from their safety networks and into isolation, where overdose and violence become more lethal.
2. Guarantee uninterrupted access to health services and protect safety supplies.
Syringe programs, overdose prevention sites, and sexual health clinics must stay open and accessible. Law enforcement must not confiscate naloxone, sterile supplies, or medical kits as "contraband." These are essential workplace safety tools. Removing them creates immediate life-threatening risk.
3. Ban involuntary "protective custody" and separate local police from ICE enforcement.
No person should be detained in shelters against their will. Undocumented workers must be able to report violence and access healthcare without fear of deportation. Forced detention causes dangerous withdrawal and traps people in state custody instead of keeping them safe.
Coalition Member Quotes:
“As part of MO HO Justice Coalition, I'm especially concerned for our community members who will be working during the FIFA games happening in Kansas City. This puts them at risk of harm, which might affect their livelihood and sense of safety due to potential raids, sweeps, and encampment clearances.”
— Sappho La Flor, Outreach Specialist at MO HO Justice Coalition
“With the increased level of surveillance due to Florida’s partnership with ICE...I’m worried that stings for sex workers will increase astronomically during the FIFA 2026 World Cup games”
— Mistress Mei, Executive Director of Decrim305
“Misinformation leads to bad policy, unnecessary suffering and discrimination. It is imperative that law enforcement and social service agencies accept survivor and work- led education about consensual vs coercive sex work in order to truly protect and serve.”
— Blair Hopkins, Executive Director of SWOP Behind Bars
“In South Florida, World Cup preparations are already displacing our community. Fear of raids prevents people from accessing lifesaving health services and reporting violence, creating an immediate risk to our most vulnerable members.”
— Yamila Rollan Escalona, Executive Director of Yaya Por Vida
“Global events should be a time to fortify, benefit, and expand horizons. Instead our people will be profiled, exploited, and further criminalized"
— Kristina B., lead coordinator of Jargonist
Artwork by member of jargonist Inc. @jargonist_
For more information, please reach out to the following organization:
Advocates of the South Inc., Atlanta GA: Advocatesofthesouth@gmail.com
Boston Sex Workers and Allies Collective (BSWAC), Boston MA: contact@bswac.org
CID Collective, Seattle: not available for comment
DecrimSexWorkCA, California: admin@decrimsexworkca.com
Decrim305, Miami FL: Connect@decrim305.org
Erotic Professionals & Allies United (EPAU), National: contact@epaunited.org
Jargonist Inc., Philadelphia PA: kristina@jargonist.org
Massage Parlor Organizing Project (MPOP), Seattle WA: info@mpopsea.org
MO HO Justice Coalition, St. Louis MO, : mohojustice@gmail.com
Red Light District by TW!O, Atlanta GA: redlightdistrict@totallywowgroup.org
SWOP Behind Bars, National: info@swopbehindbars.org , 877-776-2004
Sex Workers Outreach Project, Los Angeles CA (SWOP-LA): Losangelesswop@gmail.com
Yaya Por Vida, Florida: connect@yayaporvida.org
