The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is rallying behind Mission 89's new campaign to address the growing use of sport as a cover for child trafficking. Mission 89, a research and advocacy organization fighting the exploitation of young athletes, is exposing how traffickers increasingly exploit sport to target children, weaponizing dreams of athletic success into channels for abuse and exploitation.
"Sport should be a source of joy and achievement, not a gateway to exploitation. Yet traffickers pray on the ambitions of young athletes, using false promises to lure them into abuse and deception," said Ugochi Daniels, IOM Deputy Director General for Operations. "Through this campaign, we aim to strengthen protection measures, integrate safeguards into recruitment systems, and ensure that children are safe on and off the field."
The campaign, dubbed " The Line We Don't Cross " - The United Declaration on the Elimination of Child Exploitation in Sport - responds to a deeply troubling trend. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) , children account for 38 per cent of identified trafficking victims globally. Victims, often youth, are recorded in increasing numbers across the world, sometimes lured under the false pretence of joining sports academies or signing professional sports contracts.
In the Counter Trafficking Data Collaborative database , 11 per cent of child victims globally were trafficked through false promises. Rather than achieving their dreams, these young people often face exploitation, forced labour, or abandonment.
The campaign will draw attention to the structural vulnerabilities in the sports industry, which is valued between USD 471 billion and 1.4 trillion. Unethical recruitment practices and inadequate safeguarding systems often create opportunities for human traffickers to operate, particularly targeting children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
"While we continue to celebrate the power of sport, we cannot ignore the risks faced by young athletes," said Lerina Bright, Founder and Executive Director of Mission 89. "This campaign is about ensuring that every child who dreams through sport is safe, supported, and never exploited."
The campaign seeks to tackle this issue through a multi-pronged, evidence-based approach. It promotes fair and responsible recruitment and child welfare by encouraging sports institutions, governments, and regional bodies to integrate safeguarding frameworks into their governance structures. It also provides stakeholders practical tools such as training materials, educational content, and prevention guides to help identify risks and protect children more effectively.
For over 25 years, IOM has worked at the forefront of efforts to combat human trafficking, directly assisting nearly 100,000 victims worldwide. This collaboration with Mission 89 aligns with IOM's longstanding commitment to protect the most vulnerable and promote ethical, safe and rights-based migration pathways for children and youth through platforms promoting safe migration for youth, such as Waka Well .
As part of the campaign, stakeholders are invited to sign an integrity commitment affirming zero tolerance for child trafficking in, through, and around sport. This growing coalition of actors from sports federations and clubs to agents, policymakers, and sponsors represents a united front against exploitation and a shared promise to create safer sporting environments for all young people.
By raising awareness, promoting policy change, and engaging institutions and communities, IOM and Mission 89 are working to ensure that no child is trafficked in the name of sport, and that every young athlete can pursue their passion in safety and dignity and with their rights fully upheld.
