Panic Over Human Trafficking at Sporting Events
Unjustified Hype? Montreal is famous for its vibrant culture and beautiful women, so much so that hockey players and international journalists flock to the city, especially during the Grand Prix. Yet, every year, we hear the same panic-inducing stories about human trafficking surrounding these events. But is this fear really justified? Here’s my no-holds-barred take. Misogyny in Sports Media Sport is historically seen as a male-dominated interest. Media and advertising around sporting events often use misogynistic imagery, a point highlighted by Jenn, a coordinator at Stella, an organization supporting sex workers. She notes that this isn’t about the sex industry itself but about the broader masculine, capitalist view of women’s bodies. False Assumptions About Fans Preconceived notions link masculinity, sports, and sex work, assuming women aren’t sports fans and men are equally interested in vuvuzelas and vulvas. Prohibitionist groups perpetuate this myth, arguing that male sports fans