The Polaris Project: Yearning for Freedom and Resilience

Founded in 2002, Polaris (originally Polaris Project) is a leading U.S. nonprofit dedicated to combating human trafficking. From operating the National Human Trafficking Hotline to advocating for survivors and driving systemic change, Polaris has significantly shaped the response to modern slavery.

Recent Achievements

• National Human Trafficking Hotline

Operating since 2007, this 24/7 hotline (phone, text, chat) has become a cornerstone resource, connecting survivors with support while collecting critical data .

• Data-Driven Solutions

Through the Counter-Trafficking Data Collaborative, Polaris has aggregated over a decade of trafficking data, empowering policymakers and law enforcement with evidence-backed insights.

• Survivor-Centered Services

In 2022, Polaris modernized its hotline with digital innovations. In 2023, it launched the Polaris Resilience Fund, offering guaranteed basic income to survivors—a warming beacon to reduce retrafficking.

• Global Advocacy

Polaris teams share their best practices internationally, collaborating with over 85 countries to strengthen anti-trafficking frameworks worldwide.

Impact & Challenges

Polaris has been praised for trailblazing survivor-centric approaches. However, some critics raise concerns about conflation of consensual sex work with trafficking and the transparency of data. Still, the organization remains influential in shaping policy, such as deploying financial systems to disrupt trafficking’s supply chains.

Conclusion

Over the past several years, Polaris has evolved from rescue efforts to pioneering holistic, data-driven prevention and survivor support measures. Their initiatives, like the Resilience Fund, show a willingness to innovate. The ongoing task is balance—addressing trafficking while respecting agency and differing viewpoints.