As Arlington welcomes visitors from around the world for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, conversations about human trafficking have once again moved into the national spotlight. While concerns often intensify around major sporting events, Dr. Kathleen Preble, associate professor in the School of Social Work, says the public conversation frequently overlooks a critical reality: human trafficking is not a temporary problem tied to a single event.
"Trafficking exists in communities whether the games are present or not," Preble said. "All year round. Every year."
Preble brings nearly a decade of professional experience in refugee resettlement and anti-trafficking work to her research. Before pursuing her doctorate, she worked as a licensed master's social worker, helping refugees rebuild their lives after resettling in the United States.
"Being a resettlement social worker was one of the best jobs I've ever had," she said. "I loved being a welcoming, safe person after a long, scary journey for people and then watching them leap from surviving to thriving."
A member of the UTA Men’s Soccer team blocks another player from scoring a goal during a soccer practice scrimmage. (Photo by Joel Solis)
During that time, refugee resettlement agencies were often responsible for supporting identified survivors of human trafficking. Working directly with survivors sparked questions that would eventually shape Preble's research agenda.
"I was very curious about how survivors of trafficking perceived coercion during their trafficking experiences," she said. "Most frontline personnel at that time did not have lived experience and perceived coercion from a view of assumption rather than knowledge."
Today, she notes that the field has evolved significantly, with more survivor voices helping shape research, policy, and practice.
As public attention turns toward the World Cup, Preble cautions against some of the most persistent myths surrounding trafficking and major sporting events.
"The biggest myth about major sporting events and human trafficking is that it increases because of the game," she said.
Research has consistently shown that while trafficking remains a concern, evidence does not support claims that events like the World Cup create dramatic spikes in trafficking activity. According to Preble, focusing too heavily on event-driven narratives can unintentionally divert attention and resources away from long-term solutions.
"When we portray trafficking as an episodic event, we risk teaching the public that the concern is episodic rather than constant," she said.
She also notes that discussions often focus exclusively on sex trafficking while overlooking labor trafficking and the experiences of populations that are frequently absent from public narratives.
Rather than focusing solely on awareness campaigns during major events, Preble emphasizes addressing the conditions that create vulnerability in the first place.
"Trafficking is closely linked to adverse childhood experiences, poly-victimization, and structural inequities," she said.
The most effective prevention strategies, she argues, are often the least sensational: ensuring access to healthcare, education, housing, transportation, food, and financial stability.
"Traffickers are looking for ways to exploit gaps in these basic needs," she said.
Those same principles guide social work's response to trafficking. Whether working directly with survivors, conducting research, or organizing communities, social workers play a critical role in advancing social and economic justice.
"Social work at its core is about seeking social and economic justice for individuals and communities," Preble said. "We meet people where they are and empower them to find their voice."
Looking ahead, Preble sees growing concern around technology-facilitated abuse and trafficking, particularly among children and youth. She also hopes to see more attention devoted to the broader systems that support anti-trafficking work, including survivor-led organizing, policy development, strategic planning, and organizational sustainability.
While combating trafficking requires coordinated efforts from professionals, communities also have an important role to play.
"Individuals and communities can play an important role by calling in reports to situations that just do not seem right," she said. "If you see something, say something."
However, she stresses that intervention should be left to trained professionals.
"You could be putting the survivor in danger if you try to intervene on your own," she said.
For Preble, the conversation surrounding the World Cup presents an opportunity—not to fuel fear, but to encourage a deeper understanding of trafficking as a year-round issue that demands evidence-based solutions, survivor-centered approaches, and sustained community commitment.