The Young Tennis Player who is now Tackling Human Trafficking Through Sport: Adeline Dumoulin

Adeline Dumoulin is Head of the Modern Slavery Project and Deputy Head of MLP at CPA UK. Here, she talks about the work of CPA UK with Mission 89 and how to tackle human trafficking through sport. 

A few years ago, I had a conversation with Lerina Bright, the CEO of Mission 89, in London. It was then that I realised the scale of the issue of human trafficking through sports.

I love sports and have practiced many of them. As a child, I was a talented tennis player, to the extent of imagining myself becoming a professional athlete one day. So, I can already imagine the excitement for the 2022 Birmingham Games amongst young people around the Commonwealth.

Sport is part of us. Sport brings nations and communities together. It brings smiles to our faces and warms our hearts. 

CPA UK started working with Mission 89 with one objective: To prevent talented players and individuals becoming victims of human trafficking within the context of sport. Unfortunately, major sporting events are an opportunity for unscrupulous criminals to exploit young athletes and people willing to take part of these events.

To tackle human trafficking through sport, it is fundamental that the right people are aware of and are knowledgeable on what sports trafficking is, how to detect it, and how to prevent it.

The 'right people' are everywhere:

• Parliamentarians
• Border force officials
• High Commissions
• Constituents
• Communities
• Charities
• Businesses

It is also essential they work collaboratively and support each other by raising awareness around them. We know that you are the drivers of positive change in your countries. 

Therefore, it is my sincere hope that these resources will prove informative and insightful on the many ways we can all together mitigate risks associated with human trafficking through sport ahead of mega sporting events.

I encourage you to read the resources, share them with your peers, colleagues, parents and guardians, schoolteachers, sport coaches, and community members.

Encourage discussions on the issue and do contact CPA UK or Mission 89 for any additional support.

Thank you.