Financial abuse is one of the primary ways traffickers enforce control over the people they exploit, and how they profit from that exploitation.

Trafficking survivors aren’t defined only by their exploitation — they play many more roles and carry more identities than survivor. One of the most common identities survivors also hold is mother. Survivors support their families, wanting to see their children thrive. Unfortunately, their ability to care for their children can run into systemic barriers resulting … Continued

Without consistent and clear state laws and federal legislation, criminal records remain one of the biggest obstacles that survivors face in rebuilding their lives after exploitation.

Sex trafficking is terrible at any age, but stories about child victims and survivors in particular tend to draw more attention.

Helping survivors with criminal records avoid further exploitation is an ongoing policy priority for Polaris and the anti-trafficking sector.

The film Sound of Freedom is a Hollywood depiction based on one person’s stories. There are many additional perspectives and stories that complete the picture. 

For survivors of human trafficking, breaking free from the exploiter is often just the beginning of a long journey. Most need longer-term support to truly heal from the traumas they have experienced.

Denim Day is an internationally-recognized day to support survivors of sexual violence and bring awareness to the issue of victim-blaming. Human trafficking survivors know this issue all too well.

Without enough inspectors, outreach staff, and other resources at the Department of Labor, we will continue to read about child labor in meat packing industries, back wages owed to workers, and other violations.

Many survivors of human trafficking are also survivors of sexual abuse. During April’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we are exploring the intersection of sexual abuse and human trafficking.

Zephi Trevino’s upcoming trial in Texas shows that law enforcement and prosecutors are ignoring a victim’s trafficking experience and going ahead with criminal charges.

There are a lot of scary rumors out there about how people get recruited into human trafficking. None of them are true - at least that is what we've learned from operating the Human Trafficking Hotline.