Children and Youth

As the streets chill this November, we at Polaris recognize National Runaway Prevention Month. According to the National Runaway Safeline, between 1.6 and 2.8 million youth run away from home each year.

As the tragic shooting in Orlando last weekend clearly shows, LGBTQ youth remain one of our nation’s most vulnerable populations.

According to a report, more than 12,000 people throughout the Washington D.C. region are currently homeless. Our homeless population need services, not stigma.

This Sunday, May 29, marks the one-year anniversary of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (JVTA) becoming law. This legislation made some important steps forward in the fight to end modern slavery and restore freedom to survivors.

A lack of safe housing is a leading risk factor for sex trafficking. LGBTQ youth can be at an increased risk because they may face unique circumstances that lead to homelessness.

Polaris released a resource today to help service providers and criminal justice professionals better serve young lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) victims of human trafficking. 

Thirteen year old Natalia was told by her parents she was moving to the U.S. with family friends who would allow her to receive an education and learn English. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Polaris, a leader in the global fight to eradicate modern slavery and restore freedom to survivors, issued a statement today following passage of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, S.178, introduced by Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX).

After running away from her foster family at 14, Keisha met an older man who offered to help her find her biological family. Then he forced her into commercial sex to repay him.