The Polaris Post

Dear John, 

As we shared earlier this week, Polaris will be transitioning the operation of the National Human Trafficking Hotline to another provider after nearly two decades of responding to hundreds of thousands of calls, texts, and chats.

But as you’ll see in this newsletter, answering the call has never only meant picking up the phone. 

From helping survivors secure remission and criminal records relief to holding traffickers accountable, Polaris has always responded to the needs of victims and survivors — and we’re more committed than ever to putting their voices and needs at the center of what comes next.

We hope you’ll be inspired by this month’s stories, and please share this newsletter with friends who share your commitment to freedom and justice.

Together, we’re building a future where freedom isn’t conditional and every person can choose how and where they live and work.

With gratitude, 
The Polaris Team

P.S. This moment marks the end of one chapter — and the beginning of another. The fight for freedom and justice doesn’t pause, and neither do we. Your gift today powers the next generation of survivor-informed solutions to human trafficking.

After nearly two decades of operating the National Human Trafficking Hotline, Polaris was recently informed that the Department of Health and Human Services has awarded the next cooperative agreement to another provider.

While we are disappointed by this outcome, we are proud of the impact that survivors, our staff, and our partners — including you — have made possible. Since 2007, we have handled more than 460,000 calls, texts, and chats, identifying over 112,000 situations of trafficking and more than 218,000 victims and survivors. 

We are committed to centering victims and survivors during this transition and in all our work as we move into a new chapter of our mission.

As we move forward, answering the call means listening to survivors and putting them at the center of everything we do. It means carrying forward the expertise and relationships we’ve built operating the Hotline and stewarding that hard-won experience to strengthen national response and fill the gaps that still leave survivors at risk.

Check out this video to learn more about what answering the call means to us!

Do you or someone you know have a trafficking experience involving ads on Backpage.com or CityXGuide? 

This summer, the U.S. Department of Justice announced a process for compensating these survivors. Eligible individuals must file a petition by February 2, 2026. 

To support survivors through this process, Polaris is part of the Backpage Survivor Remission Network. Find more information on our website.

From its earliest days, the FIU has turned to the real experts — survivors — to shape its work helping financial institutions and law enforcement partners follow the money. Its approach not only helps disrupt trafficking situations but also supports survivors in securing justice and keeps traffickers from exploiting others. 

Learn about the FIU’s work in a new blog series. 

Thanks to survivors’ leadership and your messages to Congress, we’ve reached a major policy milestone! 

The Trafficking Survivors Relief Act (TSRA) just cleared the House Judiciary Committee, moving one step closer to becoming law this year. This first-of-its-kind legislation would allow survivors to clear federal records of crimes they were forced to commit — opening doors to housing, jobs, and education.

Help us keep momentum going by urging your Congress members to support and co-sponsor the TSRA today!