Color My World
Monday, June 15, 2026
*Jan Rayburn
Anyone who knows me is aware that I dress strategically. My color of attire almost always has meaning, even if it is only that black slacks are slimming.
Our Senior Director of Human Resources asks each day what my outfit represents. Some are obvious, like red or pink for Valentine's Day, green on St. Patrick's Day, and, of course, red, white, and blue on Election Day and the three summer holidays. I even dress liturgically.
Feast days of Mary? I'm wearing blue. Pentecost Sunday? I'm in red. Advent and Lent? I'm donning purple. And don't get me started on my sports teams.
When the Florida Panthers are in the Stanley Cup playoffs, I'm in red or blue, depending, of course, on the opponents' colors.
I can't risk accidentally sending mixed signals. Sport superstitions are real, people! I have, on more than one occasion, blamed our Maintenance Technician/Everyone's Best Friend (yes, that is his official title) for losses because he did not dress appropriately! Just kidding — mostly.
So, when my colleague, Anthony Pittelli, wrote his most recent blog on the FIFA World Cup coming to Hard Rock Stadium — renamed Miami Stadium this month — I'm sure you thought my main focus would be on dressing in team-appropriate colors. Yes and no. I will be dressed appropriately in a black T-shirt embossed with the words, "Defend the Children."
As Anthony pointed out, these mega-events also attract predators who view them as prime opportunities for their crimes of exploitation. The research is mixed as to whether victimization actually increases during these events or whether there is simply a "flashlight effect," which means the fluctuation in numbers is documented in arrest records and hotline calls, but there is no significant increase in victimization.
It may be semantics, but read that sentence again carefully because it does not mean these crimes of exploitation are not happening. It means they absolutely are happening and are ever-present!
The process of recruiting a victim into human trafficking begins by creating a relationship through stages of grooming. This takes time. Recruitment doesn't necessarily happen during these events. However, the recruits are made available during the scheduled timeline of the events.
The worldwide sports spectacle and the intense media coverage it attracts provide the spotlight needed to gain resources for community awareness campaigns, increased policing, well-publicized hotline numbers, and response programs. As intended, these types of programs increase the number of victim disclosures and reported crimes.
Either way, this debate doesn't have sides. Both arguments lead to the same conclusion: This needs to be addressed at all times.
Recently, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement held a press conference reassuring residents and visitors while also warning traffickers that FDLE has a "zero-tolerance" policy for human trafficking.
The agency has expanded its task force and is conducting undercover sting operations to target both buyers and traffickers. These ongoing efforts have significantly increased arrests and convictions of child predators and traffickers.
And that is a GOOOOOOAL!
But not the game. Bringing awareness to adults and increasing law enforcement efforts is paramount. Additionally, this conversation needs to take place with children as well. Age-appropriately, of course. But it is never too early or too often. This conversation should happen often.
Now is a great time to start, as the excitement, energy, and fan frenzy of the World Cup could distract kids into letting their guard down. Talk about safe vs. unsafe touches, identify safe adults, encourage them to trust their instincts, discuss online safety, and define grooming and coercion, with an emphasis on boundaries and respect.
This isn't a "scared straight" conversation. Rather, it is a boundary and safety program. It is the basis for the Virtus Teaching Boundary Safety lessons taught to students in our parochial schools and catechism programs.
Reinforcing these lessons at home is an opportunity to practice your faith.
In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it says:
"Freedom is exercised in relationships between human beings. Every human person, created in the image of God, has the natural right to be recognized as a free and responsible being. All owe to each other this duty of respect."
So, after regulation time, stoppage time, overtime, and shootouts, respecting the game and each other — no matter whose jersey you wear or what color vuvuzela you blare — is a win!
You can report suspected human trafficking directly to law enforcement in Florida by calling 855-FLA-SAFE or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
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