Press Releases

U.S. House Passes Multiple Anti-Human Trafficking Bills

January 27, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Polaris, a leader in the global fight to eradicate modern slavery and restore freedom to survivors, released a statement today as the U.S. House of Representatives passes a series of 12 bills aimed at combating human trafficking.

Polaris, McCain Institute, and Clear Channel Outdoor Expand Anti-Human Trafficking Campaign on Phoenix Billboards

January 7, 2015

PHOENIX, AZ – Polaris, Cindy McCain and The McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University, and Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCO), together with Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich and Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, today announced a renewed and expanded campaign to combat human trafficking with outdoor media throughout Phoenix.

Wyndham Hotel Group Partners with Polaris to Help Prevent Human Trafficking

November 17, 2014

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Wyndham Hotel Group, the world's largest hotel company with approximately 7,590 hotels and part of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN), today announced its continued commitment to preventing human trafficking by partnering with Polaris, a leader in the global fight to eradicate modern slavery and restore freedom to survivors.

Worldwide Directory of Modern Slavery Organizations Launches

October 9, 2014

The Global Modern Slavery Directory is a first-of-its-kind publicly searchable database of over 770 organizations and hotlines working on human trafficking and forced labor.

Polaris, CAST, & Clear Channel Outdoor Launch Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness Campaign in Los Angeles

September 22, 2014

LOS ANGELES, CA – Polaris, the Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking (CAST), and Clear Channel Outdoor (CCO) were joined by county and city elected officials and advocates today as they announced a partnership to raise awareness against human trafficking in the greater Los Angeles area.

State Ratings Reveal Progress in Human Trafficking Laws, More Needed to Assist Victims

September 17, 2014

WASHINGTON, D.C. – While all 50 states and the District of Columbia have passed legislation to combat sex and labor trafficking, most states lack adequate laws to support and assist those exploited by these horrific crimes.

U.S. House Considers Undermining its own Human Trafficking Legislation

July 25, 2014

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives passed eight anti-human trafficking bills this week that take important steps to address modern slavery. However, the body is currently considering legislation in response to the unaccompanied children crisis that will roll back protections for victims in existing human trafficking law: the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) of 2008.

Statement on Federal Response to Unaccompanied Children Crisis

July 18, 2014

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Polaris, a leader in the global fight to eradicate modern slavery and restore freedom to survivors, today urged the President and Congress against weakening protections for unaccompanied children entering the United States that were enacted under the 2008 Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA). The TVPRA ensures that unaccompanied minors crossing the border are provided with basic services and due process protections.

Announcing our new logo and identity

July 15, 2014

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Human trafficking is a thriving criminal industry that is rapidly evolving. To eradicate this form of modern slavery, we must innovate and evolve as well.

Polaris is unveiling a new logo and identity to more accurately reflect who we are today, emphasize our impact, and inspire a growing number of people to join us in achieving our future vision. We invite you to celebrate this evolution with us.  

Statement on State Dept.’s 2014 Trafficking in Persons Report

June 20, 2014

WASHINGTON, D.C.  Polaris Project, a leading organization in the global fight against human trafficking and modern slavery, released the following statement today on the U.S. Department of State’s 2014 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. The TIP Report is the U.S. Government’s key resource to work with foreign governments on the issue of human trafficking and modern slavery.

Polaris Project Welcomes New HHS Secretary

June 5, 2014

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Polaris Project, a leading organization in the global fight against human trafficking and modern slavery, today congratulated Sylvia Mathews Burwell on becoming the new Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The U.S. Senate confirmed her nomination by a 78-17 vote. The National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC), which is operated by Polaris Project, is partially funded by HHS. The NHTRC hotline has received reports of more than 15,500 cases of human trafficking in the U.S.

Statement on U.S. House Anti-Trafficking Legislation

May 20, 2014

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 20, 2014) – Polaris Project, a leading organization in the global fight against human trafficking and modern slavery, released a statement on the series of bills the U.S. House of Representatives considered today on human trafficking. The bills included H.Res. 573, H.R. 4058, H.R. 4573, H.R. 3530, H.R. 3610, and H.R. 4225.

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