Human trafficking is a reality, not only around the world, but also in New Orleans.

Authorities say the Super Bowl will bring more criminals connected to human trafficking, so Local and federal agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement, are keeping a very close eye on the problem especially sex trafficking during Super Bowl.

Authorities will be aggressively hitting hotels, bars, and restaurants in the city, urging workers to be on the lookout for a crime.

“Because (victims) are coerced or threatened, they tend to stay in the shadows, which makes it very difficult for us to locate the victims, “ said ICE agent Trey Lund.

Some victims are trafficked from other countries, bribed with lies and false promises, only to come and have their IDs and passports taken away.

But other victims may live in regular neighborhoods.

Former victim Theresa Flores was from an upper class family in Detroit.   She was 15, when her boyfriend drugged and raped her.

Pictures were taken and then used as blackmail. They threatened to hurt her family if she spilled the secret.

“You figure you're lying there in some stranger's house where at least 10 men would come in all the time and you're a teenager, and you don't know how to get out of it, you don't know who to tell you're afraid.  One night I was kidnapped by these guys and taken really far away and left abused probably 20, 30 or 40 times that night,” said Theresa.

That night, she was left for dead on the side of the road.  She woke up the next day on cold concrete, all alone, and badly hurt.