by John Sorce
john.sorce@theleaven.org
LEAWOOD — It is estimated that 650,000 people will be visiting the Kansas City region for the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer.
That, unfortunately, could add to the second-fastest growing criminal enterprise behind the drug trade.
Human trafficking has become a $150 billion industry, with over 50 million people trafficked worldwide.
“It’s happening everywhere,” said Jason Alvis, CEO of ReHope, during a presentation on Jan. 29 at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Leawood.
Formerly known as Restoration House of Greater Kansas City, ReHope began its mission in 2015 as a response to the increasing epidemic of sex trafficking in the United States.
“Due to the deep-rooted trauma, ReHope believes the healing and restoration process is a long-term endeavor,” its website explains. “Therefore, we provide survivors with individual attention and focused programming that promotes sustainable healing and ongoing support.
“Only then can these survivors move confidently toward healthy, self-sustained, independent living.”
The U.S. Department of Justice defines human trafficking as a crime involving the exploitation of a person for labor, services or commercial sex.
It essentially comes down to the exploitation of vulnerabilities.
“Every time I talk about what we do, I admit that I have vulnerabilities, and I bet everyone in this room does as well,” Alvis said. “But I don’t have somebody that I know of that is trying to exploit those vulnerabilities.
“There are things like community and church that can help defend against the exploitation of those vulnerabilities.”
The presentation noted that most victims are groomed over time by people they know, including family members and trusted adults.
“[Groomers] develop trust and give false promises,” Alvis said. “Then, they find a way to isolate the victim from support systems.”
Another way that predators target people is through the internet.
In 2025, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) received more than 113,500 reports of possible child sex trafficking, which was a 323% increase from 2024.
“We all lived online during COVID and since 2021, things have continued on an upward trajectory — online enticement, online grooming and sextortion, which is a real thing,” Alvis said.
The average time for a predator to meet a child in person after their initial contact is only eight days.
Another aspect that plays into the trafficker’s favor is the number of highway miles in and around the metro.
This makes it easier for people to be trafficked in and out of Kansas City without being noticed.
“Kansas City has more paved highway miles than any other metropolitan city in the United States,” Alvis said.
“It’s easy to get in and out of the metro undetected,” he added, “which means trafficking wouldn’t be hard to do.”
Because of this, the sad reality is that many statistics are likely to be lower than the actual number of cases due to underreporting or cases simply going undetected.
Part of ReHope’s mission during the World Cup will be to open more crisis beds, train additional first responders, provide safe rides out of danger and offer immediate, trauma-informed care.
ReHope is also looking for volunteers to help during the event. A full list of opportunities can be found online at: rehope.org/volunteering-world-cup.
Applicants must fill out an application and submit a background check, which costs $17. (Virtus-approved applicants can make note of that in their application.)
They will then proceed with the interview process and attend online training for their selected role. All trainings will take place in May.
To learn more about what ReHope is doing to prepare for the World Cup or to make a donation, visit the website at: rehope.org/world-cup.
If caught in a situation where you suspect trafficking may be taking place, try to remember what you see and the location before calling for help.
“Stay safe,” Alvis said. “Do not confront the suspected trafficker or victim. Try to remember what you see so you can give a description. Call local law enforcement for a welfare check unless there is immediate danger, then call 911.”
There is also an app called Simply Report, though it has yet to be fully adopted by all of Kansas City area law enforcement.
The event concluded with a survivor sharing her story, and the gratitude she felt for how ReHope has aided in her recovery.
“ReHope has given me more than services,” she said. “They gave me a second chance, a new beginning. A new life not only for me, but for my son.
“When you support organizations like ReHope, you are directly investing in the futures of survivors like me that would otherwise not be possible.”
People can learn more about ReHope by visiting its website at: rehope.org.
For help, call ReHope’s crisis line at (816) 865-1808. For 24/7 help, call Rescue America’s hotline at (833) 599-FREE.
