Missouri's New Initiative to Combat Human Trafficking Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has taken a significant step in combating human trafficking by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Safe House Project. This partnership aims to launch the Simply Report initiative statewide, providing Missourians with an accessible and modernized way to report suspected human trafficking cases. The initiative highlights the urgency of addressing this issue, especially in light of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will see Kansas City as one of the host cities.

What is Simply Report?

Simply Report is an advanced reporting platform specifically designed to enhance the identification of human trafficking. This user-friendly tool utilizes a behavioral intelligence matrix containing over 700 indicators of trafficking, allowing individuals to report suspicious activities easily and effectively. The app is available for download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, and it supports more than 200 languages, ensuring accessibility to a diverse community.

When a report is submitted, Simply Report automatically evaluates it against its extensive matrix, providing a classified risk level and routing actionable intelligence directly to law enforcement. This real-time communication allows authorities to respond quickly, and victims can be connected to Safe House Project’s certified support network for immediate and long-term care.

Addressing the Human Trafficking Crisis

Statistics reveal that the national identification rate for trafficking victims hovers at a stark 1%. This alarming figure emphasizes that the issue is not merely a lack of public awareness but is primarily an infrastructural challenge. Missouri’s adoption of the Simply Report platform seeks to address this issue head-on, mitigating the fragmentation typically seen with existing hotlines and disconnected tip lines.

Attorney General Hanaway emphasized the importance of this system: “Protecting victims and preventing exploitation are core public-safety responsibilities, and we will use every tool available to catch traffickers and hold them accountable.” The goal is to place victims at the forefront of the reporting process, making it safer and more efficient for the public to contribute to the fight against trafficking.

A Timely Rollout

The launch of Simply Report is strategically timed as large-scale international events are known to correlate with a spike in trafficking activities. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to attract millions of visitors to Missouri, making it imperative to have a robust reporting and response structure in place ahead of time. Hanaway remarked on the significance of this preparedness, stating that “Simply Report puts victims first and gives Missourians a way to help stop these horrific crimes.”

Under the terms of the MOU, the Safe House Project and the Missouri Attorney General's Office will work in tandem to raise awareness about Simply Report across various sectors, including healthcare, education, hospitality, transportation, and law enforcement. This community-wide engagement will enhance the platform’s effectiveness, ensuring that the public is informed about how to report any suspected trafficking incidents.

Kristi Wells, the CEO and Co-Founder of Safe House Project, echoed Hanaway’s sentiments, highlighting the collaborative efforts across states to tackle trafficking. “Missouri is leading, and Missouri is not leading alone. Attorneys General across the country are identifying the same infrastructure failure and are moving to fix it,” she stated.

How to Participate

Missourians are encouraged to actively participate in the initiative by downloading the Simply Report app, visiting simplyreport.com, or calling 1.833.5.BESAFE to report any suspected trafficking activities. The partnership between the Missouri Attorney General’s Office and Safe House Project is a pivotal step toward creating a safer community and protecting the most vulnerable.

In conclusion, as we approach the FIFA World Cup, Missouri is setting a precedent for a proactive approach to combating human trafficking. Through the implementation of Simply Report, the state is not only enhancing its reporting capabilities but also fostering a sense of collective responsibility among its citizens to take action against trafficking.