Polaris (formerly Polaris Project)

Today, we’re sharing important news: After nearly two decades of operating the National Human Trafficking Hotline, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded the next cooperative agreement to another organization. While we are disappointed by this outcome, we are immensely proud of the legacy Polaris has built as the Hotline’s operator for the last 18 years — a legacy made possible by the dedication of our staff, the trust of survivors, and the support of our partners. Since 2007, the Hotline has: 🔹Responded to more than 460,000 calls, texts, and chats 🔹Identified more than 112,000 trafficking cases 🔹Helped identify more than 218,000 victims and survivors This impact reflects the extraordinary work of more than 60 Hotline staff — some of whom are survivors themselves — who brought compassion, expertise, and resilience to every signal. Together, we built a trusted national lifeline that will continue to serve survivors long after the transition. Our mission has always been bigger than answering the phone. Polaris will continue to lead on the frontlines of the fight against trafficking, carrying forward the knowledge, systems, and survivor partnerships built through the Hotline to strengthen the national response to human trafficking in all its forms. To every survivor, advocate, and supporter who has been part of this journey: thank you. Together, we will continue moving forward. 💙 Read more: https://lnkd.in/eQ6CtUXM

We’re proud to share that Polaris has been shortlisted in the Disruption of Supply Category at STOP THE TRAFFIK’s 2025 Data to Disrupt Trafficking Awards! This recognition highlights our work on Nonechka, a mobile technology tool Polaris developed to reach and share information with farmworkers vulnerable to trafficking in Mexico and the United States and learn directly from them about their experiences and what issues they're facing. We look forward to joining fellow changemakers in London this October to celebrate the power of innovation, collaboration, and lived experience in disrupting trafficking. #D2DT25 #DisruptTrafficking

Exciting news! The Trafficking Survivors Relief Act (TSRA) has just passed the first hurdle toward becoming a law this year and was voted through the House Judiciary Committee! We’re one step closer to gaining, for the first time, a federal law that will recognize that survivors should not be punished for crimes they were forced to commit and will give survivors a pathway to clear their federal criminal records. Having a criminal record – even an arrest record without a conviction – is a significant barrier to maintaining gainful employment, finding safe housing, continuing education, and obtaining child custody. Passing this bill would make a historic step forward in protecting victims and survivors of trafficking at the federal level. Visit our Information Center to learn more about the TSRA, watch videos from survivors, and find out how you can help advocate for this important bill: https://lnkd.in/gAQNJmFN

Filing a remission petition can feel overwhelming. The Backpage Survivor Remission Network is working to connect survivors with no-cost, trusted legal support to navigate the petition process, deadlines, and documentation for eligible losses. Trafficking survivors: if your abuse was facilitated through ads on Backpage or CityXGuide, you may be eligible for financial compensation. Request a connection to FREE legal assistance: https://lnkd.in/e6Qgx3_g Deadline: Feb 2, 2026.

We're hiring! If you're interested in joining our National Human Trafficking Hotline team as a Learning & Development Specialist, please apply here: https://lnkd.in/edFv3TEa

Polaris is proud to stand in solidarity with survivors, today and every day. We honor the courage it takes to share a story, speak a truth, or simply be seen. We remain committed to building a future rooted in dignity, agency, and care - where survivors lead the way. #HumanTraffickingAwareness #ListenToSurvivors

“The National Human Trafficking Hotline can help you take the first step– safely, and in your own time.” Sabella didn't recognize what she went through until years later — now, she's using her voice to help others do the same. If you're wondering, “Could this have happened to me?” — you're not alone. Thank you, Sabella Neal, for sharing your experience contacting the Hotline. 💬 https://lnkd.in/egCJKjM | 1-888-373-7888

Late one evening, a detective’s phone buzzes. On the line is a Polaris-trained Hotline advocate, calm and composed, with an urgent trafficking situation to report. This isn’t just a tip — it’s actionable intelligence: Immediate safety concerns are flagged. Local victim services are identified. Critical context is shared to help officers act with precision and care. Backed by nearly 20 years of partnership with survivors and law enforcement, the Hotline delivers high-quality, trauma-informed referrals that protect survivors, save officers time and resources, and help hold traffickers accountable. 📊 Since 2020, the Hotline has reported nearly 14,000 situations of potential trafficking to our law enforcement partners. 📊 As of early 2025, the Hotline maintains 1,681 active law enforcement contacts. When the Hotline calls, law enforcement knows it’s not just a lead — it’s a lifeline. For the survivor. For the investigation. For the community. 🔗 Read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/e8MqA_wy

Have you ever wondered what happens when you contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline? Monica Krebs , Director of Data and Operations for the Hotline, explains what you can expect in the first few minutes of a call.

How do we make sure signals from the National Human Trafficking Hotline truly lead to safety and justice? In our latest blog, Built to Deliver Results: The Hotline’s Approach to Law Enforcement, Survivor Agency & Actionable Tips, we explore: 🔹 What makes a tip “actionable” for law enforcement 🔹 Why centering survivor agency and informed consent is essential 🔹 How trauma-informed collaboration benefits survivors, service providers, and investigators Since its inception, the National Human Trafficking Hotline has handled more than 463,000 signals, identifying over 218,000 victims. Behind every number is a person—and every response must balance urgency, accuracy, and survivor choice. For almost two decades, Polaris has collaborated closely with survivors, officers, investigators, and task forces at every level. Together, we’ve built an approach that improves outcomes for survivors and increases the likelihood of trafficker accountability. Read more about how we’re strengthening partnerships with law enforcement while upholding trauma-informed values: https://lnkd.in/enc6uZkg