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After countless hours of research, the Policy team is proud to announce the release of the 2011 State Ratings map! The Polaris Project annual state ratings process tracks the presence or absence of 10 categories of state statutes that Polaris Project believes are critical to a comprehensive anti-trafficking legal framework. [Read more →]

Our Policy team has just returned from the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) with a lot of positive news to report! The NCSL organizes an annual national summit, where legislators from all around the country come together for a four-day meeting, sharing ideas and progress. This year, Polaris Project attended so that we could reach as many legislators as possible and spread the word about the need for comprehensive and effective human trafficking laws. [Read more →]

Australia is a destination country for many people. With picturesque stretches of coast and idyllic outback scenery, there are many tourists who want to come to Australia to enjoy all that it has to offer. Unfortunately, Australia is also a destination for a different type of visitor – human trafficking victims. As Polaris Project’s only current Australian fellow, human trafficking in the Oceania region is of particular interest to me.

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As consumers we face countless choices for the goods and services we can buy. However, for socially conscious consumers who are aware of the frequent intersections between human trafficking and corporate supply chains, there is the added desire of purchasing goods that are socially responsible. But how do we really know how things are produced? [Read more →]

Most of the time, we report out to you on the progress we are making to end human trafficking. We let you know when our advocacy efforts played a critical role in getting Craigslist to shut down their Adult /services section. We recently told you about the crackdown on Asian massage parlors that were fronting as legitimate businesses, when in actuality they were sex trafficking operations. What we don’t talk about as often is how we function financially, but it is incredibly important to us so I wanted to take a moment to share some good news. [Read more →]

A few hours before the Polaris Japan Board Meeting on March 11, I received the following email from Shihoko, the Director of our Japan programs:

The biggest earthquake in Japanese history hit today.  No one was in the office and I was able to manage to hold TVs and bookshelves.  Things fell on floor.  Transportation is not function(al) at all in Tokyo, so there are so many people walking on street.  They should stay at office!  It is freezing tonight!… I will stay at office today and some of my friends (will) also use our office as shelter today. [Read more →]

With the launch of our improved website, Polaris Project now offers hundreds of new resources to strengthen the anti-trafficking movement and inspire action to combat the issue. [Read more →]

February 14, 2002.  Nine years ago, today, a single sheet of paper filed with the Rhode Island State House gave birth to Polaris Project – an idea that ordinary community members need to come together to fight slavery once again.  While our work helps to bring freedom to anyone in any situation of human trafficking, we made a purposeful decision to make “VDay our BDay” to recognize our part in a broader movement to stop violence against women and girls. [Read more →]

Organizations and community groups from across the country have traveled to Arlington, TX to participate in the anti-trafficking awareness events surrounding the Super Bowl.  Throughout the week, events have been held to educate the community and to reach out to potential victims of human trafficking.

Because of the clandestine nature of this crime, we must bring awareness to community members, supply them with the resources to recognize potential trafficking situations, and understand how to increase public awareness.  Significantly, 40% of the calls received at the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) last year were from community members, and 16 percent of these calls were tips.  Since December 2007, more than 4,000 potential victims have been referenced in calls to the NHTRC. [Read more →]

Today is National Human Trafficking Awareness day in the United States.  Established through a resolution passed by the U.S. Senate two years ago, January 11 is dedicated to raising awareness of and opposition to human trafficking.

Raising awareness is a crucial first step, but alone it is not enough. Knowledge without action is information wasted. It isn’t enough to be merely aware. Armed with information, we should act.

Here are three things that you can do right now to help fight human trafficking: [Read more →]