WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 21, 2017) – Delta Air Lines announced today that it’s partnering with Polaris through a $1 million sponsorship that will support the organization’s activities, including operation of the National Human Trafficking Hotline. The National Hotline is an immediate resource for victims in need of critical services, as well as a tool for the public to report suspected human trafficking.
Delta’s sponsorship will ensure Polaris can staff the call center with experienced “Hotline Advocates.” With more calls coming in from survivors than ever, funding will help modernize the National Hotline and optimize the technology needed to provide the most effective and efficient service.
“The work of Polaris and the National Human Trafficking Hotline are integral to fighting human trafficking where we live and fly,” said Allison Ausband, Delta’s Senior Vice President – In-Flight Service. “A single call can protect a victim or change their entire trajectory, and that’s not to be taken lightly.”
The work of Polaris is pivotal to Delta’s proactive strategy to fight human trafficking and end modern slavery. Since 2011, when Delta was the first airline to sign the End Child Prostitution, Pornography and Trafficking (ECPAT) Code of Conduct, the global carrier has trained over 54,000 employees to spot indicators of human trafficking and supports anti-trafficking legislation across the U.S. Delta also gives customers the opportunity to donate SkyMiles through Polaris and the SkyWish program, which helps survivors seek a safe place, return to their homes, or receive critical or legal care.
“We are honored to partner with Delta Air Lines in such a profound way and are beyond grateful for their support of the National Human Trafficking Hotline,” said Bradley Myles, CEO of Polaris. “Delta is a leader in the fight against human trafficking, working tirelessly to provide human trafficking training to their employees to help spot this crime and equipping survivors with resources they need to rebuild their lives.”
The National Hotline has been operated by Polaris for almost 10 years and has handled 38,000 cases of human trafficking. Since January, more than 6,100 cases have been reported, with a 10 percent increase in cases reported directly from survivors. The Hotline can be reached 24 hours, 365 days a year and in more than 200 different languages.
As part of the sponsorship, Polaris will also build upon the extensive training Delta provides to employees by developing new training and webinars, while tailoring the Hotline’s internal protocols to respond to questions and tips provided directly from Delta employees.
People can receive help or report a tip of suspected human trafficking in the United States by calling the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or by sending a text to Polaris at “BeFree” (233733).
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About Delta
Delta Air Lines serves more than 180 million customers each year. In 2017, Delta was named to Fortune’s top 50 Most Admired Companies in addition to being named the most admired airline for the sixth time in seven years. Additionally, Delta has ranked No.1 in the Business Travel News Annual Airline survey for an unprecedented six consecutive years. With an industry-leading global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to 315 destinations in 54 countries on six continents. Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta employs more than 80,000 employees worldwide and operates a mainline fleet of more than 800 aircraft. The airline is a founding member of the SkyTeam global alliance and participates in the industry’s leading transatlantic joint venture with Air France-KLM and Alitalia as well as a joint venture with Virgin Atlantic. Including its worldwide alliance partners, Delta offers customers more than 15,000 daily flights, with key hubs and markets including Amsterdam, Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York-JFK and LaGuardia, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Seoul, and Tokyo-Narita. Delta has invested billions of dollars in airport facilities, global products and services, and technology to enhance the customer experience in the air and on the ground. Additional information is available on the Delta News Hub, as well as delta.com, Twitter @DeltaNewsHub, Google.com/+Delta, and Facebook.com/delta.
About Polaris
Polaris is a leader in the global fight to eradicate modern slavery. Named after the North Star that guided slaves to freedom in the U.S., Polaris acts as a catalyst to systemically disrupt the human trafficking networks that rob human beings of their lives and their freedom. By working with government leaders, the world’s leading technology corporations, and local partners, Polaris equips communities to identify, report, and prevent human trafficking. Our comprehensive model puts victims at the center of what we do – helping survivors restore their freedom, preventing more victims, and leveraging data and technology to pursue traffickers wherever they operate. Learn more at www.polarisproject.org. Follow Polaris on Facebook and on Twitter.
