Social Media/Online

Countering QAnon: Understanding the Role of Human Trafficking in the Disinformation-Extremist Nexus

Published February 8, 2021
In the wake of the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, Polaris, in partnership with The Soufan Group and Limbik, has written a report that sheds light on previously unexplored links between QAnon, human trafficking, disinformation, and violent extremism.

Child Sex Trafficking Share Graphics

Published August 1, 2020
This social media toolkit includes graphics and a video available for download to educate your friends, family, and followers on what we know about child sex trafficking. You can also visit us on Instagram to share our story highlight and tag us.

Pride Month Social Media Toolkit

Published June 1, 2020
The toolkit contains social media graphics available for download to help ensure vulnerable populations have access to services and safety through the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline.

Separating Fact From Fiction: Recent Cases of Recovered Missing Children and What They Show About Child Sex Trafficking

Blog Post — September 24, 2020
Not all the missing children recovered in recent high profile U.S. Marshals operations were victims of human trafficking. But what we know about those operations reconfirms what we know about how sex trafficking happens in the vast majority of situations.

What We Know About How Child Sex Trafficking Happens

Blog Post — August 28, 2020
When most people think about child sex trafficking they think of stories involving kidnapping, windowless vans, and chains. However, focusing on these rarer examples may cause us to miss out on the realities of how trafficking typically happens.

Polaris Statement Regarding Rumors About Unclaimed Package Text Messages and Sex Trafficking Scheme

August 27, 2020
In the past week, the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline has received numerous reports involving text messages claiming the recipient has an unclaimed package awaiting delivery.

How Unproven Trafficking Stories Spread Online and Why Stopping Them Matters

Blog Post — July 22, 2020
The Wayfair theory, like other viral stories, can potentially result in overwhelming services meant for victims, as well as increasing online harassment and privacy intrusions of people mistakenly believed to be victims. These theories also detract from the knowledge we do have about how sex trafficking actually works, and how we can prevent it.

Polaris Statement on Wayfair Sex Trafficking Claims

July 20, 2020
Over the past several days the National Human Trafficking Hotline has received hundreds of reports that reference viral posts claiming Wayfair has been involved in sex trafficking children.

Isolating Children May Lead to More Trafficking

Blog Post — May 20, 2020
With stay-at-home orders resulting in more children spending time online and at home, there has been an increase in reports of child abuse, which may also make children more vulnerable to trafficking.

Sex Trafficking Is Still Happening – and May Be More Violent Than Ever

Blog Post — April 17, 2020
During the COVID-19 pandemic, people in trafficking situations and in prostitution are likely facing worse violence and abuse than ever. The U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline is here to help.

From Recruitment to Resilience: Trafficking Survivors Find Support on Social Media

Blog Post — March 6, 2019

For many survivors of commercial exploitation and trafficking, social media has been an integral part of their recovery process as well as a way to network and grow professionally.

Surviving with Social Media: How Victims and Survivors use Social Media to Stay Safe

Blog Post — February 28, 2019

More than three-quarters of survivors surveyed by Polaris in 2017 reported that they used internet platforms during their exploitation.

Need help? Polaris operates the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline.