The World Cup is coming to Massachusetts.

Research from around the world shows us that mega sporting events can cause an increase in domestic violence, sexual assault, and trafficking.

But it doesn’t have to be that way!

Who is on your team?

Our community is working together to prevent violence from happening, to ensure survivors have what they need when violence does occur, and to prepare providers to meet the moment and support survivors whenever they come forward.

A comprehensive services map is available here to help you find support services near you.

Want to talk to someone? Two hotlines are available to support you and help you get connected with services that meet your needs:

• Boston Area Rape Crisis Center Hotline (BARCC): (800) 841-8371
• SafeLink Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline (Casa Myrna): (877) 785-2020
• Rhode Island Confidential Helpline (Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence): (800) 494-8100 
  

Some red flags don’t come with a whistle

Mega sporting events (MSE’s) are defined as large-scale, international multi-sport or single-sport competitions that occur on a global or continental scale. Evidence and data show that sexual assault, domestic violence, and trafficking increase during MSE’s due to a number of factors, including the influx of visitors, an increase in drug and alcohol consumption, and heightened emotions (both exhilaration and disappointment).

While we know that none of these factors cause violence, they do intensify existing power imbalances.

Training for Nightlife Professionals

Download the slide deck here.

View training recording here.

Summer 2026 and beyond

With the World Cup, Tall Ships, Boston 250th activities, and regular summer tourist traffic, our area is poised to welcome more than 3 million national and international visitors. This number is at least double the estimated fan count that turned out for the 2019 Super Bowl LIII victory parade.

This project takes a coordinated, survivor-centered, and public health–informed approach to preventing and responding to domestic violence, sexual violence, and sex trafficking. We know survivors may reach out this summer or much later.

Additional Resources

• A Call for Change Helpline: Learn to be a safe partner: (877) 898-3411
• Major Sporting Events & Gender Based Violence: A Literature Review (DSG, Boston Public Health Commission)
• One-page Fact and Resource Sheet: Massachusetts and Rhode Island
• Fact and Resource Poster: Massachusetts and Rhode Island
• Social Media Toolkit for Providers, Partners, and Collaborators (here)
• Training for Nightlife Professionals (slides) (recording)
• Human Trafficking Awareness Materials from New Hope (Foxborough-local) (resources) (social media toolkit)
• Massachusetts State Anti-Trafficking Resources (MA Executive Office for Public Safety and Security)
• It’s A Penalty! Massachusetts State Anti-Trafficking Social Media Toolkit (here)
• Healthcare Planning for the World Cup (MA Department of Public Health), including healthcare considerations around trafficking
• White Ribbon Campaign UK Social Media Match Day Toolkit (here)
• Frequently Asked Questions After a Sexual Assault (MA Department of Public Health)
• Hospitals with Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (MA Department of Public Health)
• Rhode Island-based resources (Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence) 

This community response to the World Cup is a project of the Boston Public Health Commission (Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-based Violence Prevention Initiative and Start Strong Boston), The City of Cambridge’s Domestic and Gender-Based Violence Prevention Initiative, The Boston Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement, and Jane Doe Inc.

For press inquiries, please contact press@janedoe.org. For other project-related inquiries, contact Greta Hagen, JDI’s Deputy Director, at ghagen@janedoe.org.