Read below for a byline prepared by Lisa Tomlinson, Chief Executive Officer at the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto.
From soccer, baseball, tennis, golf and more, global sporting events bring our city pride, shared experiences and the energy that comes with being on an international stage. At the same time, they can shift routines and heighten community risks in ways we do not always think about.
Large crowds and the scale of these events can increase the risks of trafficking and exploitation, particularly for children and youth. As the summer approaches, it is important that caregivers and our broader community are aware of these risks and work together to place child and youth safety at the centre of our celebrations.
With more than three decades of experience in child welfare, I have seen how shifts in routine, even temporary ones, can create conditions where risks increase if we are not paying attention. If we are intentional, we can ensure that the same sense of pride we feel as a city is matched by a shared commitment to protecting those most vulnerable.
Understanding the risks
It is important to begin with a clear understanding: even without major sporting events, human trafficking is happening in our communities regardless of postal code.
According to Statistics Canada, 85 per cent of police-reported human trafficking incidents in Canada between 2014 and 2024 occurred in large urban centres. Toronto alone accounted for approximately 20 per cent of reported cases nationally. Youth and young women are disproportionately represented among victims, and in Ontario, the average age of recruitment into sex trafficking is just 13.
Through our work at the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto, we see the impact of this every day. Between April 2025 and April 2026, we had well over 100 cases where children and youth were identified as being at risk of, or trafficked for, sexual exploitation.
What changes during major events
While human trafficking and other child protection concerns are not caused by major events, these events can amplify existing risk conditions.
Increased crowds and greater anonymity, higher volumes of movement through airports, hotels, transit hubs and entertainment spaces, and a rise in online activity all contribute to an environment where vulnerabilities can increase. At the same time, family routines shift with caregivers balancing more demands and young people spending more time independently, both in public spaces and online.
When routines change, risks can surface in ways that are less visible at first. This may include children being left home alone without a clear plan, caregivers experiencing increased stress or substance use and/or young people becoming more exposed to unsafe interactions and exploitation.
What caregivers can do
Celebration and responsibility must go hand in hand. There are practical steps caregivers can take that make a meaningful difference in busy and fast-moving environments.
- Plan ahead for supervision:Before your child heads out to a game or social event, talk through with them where they are going, who will be with them, and when they are expected to return. Clear plans help prevent confusion in busy environments.
- Keep communication open: Make sure your child knows how to always reach you or a trusted adult. Agree on when to check in and what to do if plans change.
- Talk about safety in busy spaces: Busy places can feel overwhelming. Agree on meeting points, decide ahead of time where to meet if separated, and discuss how to identify trusted adults or help points in public spaces.
- Be aware of online activity: Increased screen time and social media use can create new risks during high profile events.
- Take concerns seriously: If a situation, interaction or behaviour does not feel right, trust that feeling. Pausing, asking questions and reaching out in your community for advice and support can help prevent harm.
A shared responsibility
The responsibility to keep children and youth safe doesn’t sit with event organizers alone. It belongs to all of us.
In Ontario, every adult has a Duty to Report concerns about a child or youth’s safety. If you have reasonable grounds to suspect that a child may be in need of protection, you are legally required to report it. If you are concerned about a child or youth, contact your local police or child welfare agency.
We have curated a list of contacts here of organizations who can support. I encourage you to have a look.
Moments of pride for Toronto
Let’s ensure that the legacy of this summer is not only defined by what happens on the scoreboard, but by how we showed up for each other off of it.
