Polaris (formerly Polaris Project)

“This bill is about so much more than ‘clearing records’; it’s about restoring dignity. It’s about giving survivors the chance to say, ‘I am not what happened to me. I am more than the worst days of my life.’” For nearly two decades, Kristin Vaughn’s criminal record has surfaced in every job application, housing form, and background check, and has felt like a reminder that the world still sees her as a criminal, not as a victim of a crime, and definitely not as a survivor. The Trafficking Survivors Relief Act is a lifeline for survivors with a criminal record– a bill that will remove some of the barriers that have kept so many survivors from truly moving forward. Read Kristin’s story and take action to ask Congress to pass the TSRA: https://lnkd.in/gAQNJmFN

Exciting news! The Trafficking Survivors Relief Act (TSRA) has been reintroduced in the House! We’re one step closer to gaining, for the first time, a federal law that will give survivors of human trafficking a pathway to clear their federal criminal records. Having a criminal record – even an arrest record without a conviction – is a significant barrier to maintaining gainful employment, finding safe housing, continuing education, and obtaining child custody. Passing this bill would make a historic step forward in protecting victims and survivors of trafficking at the federal level. Here are three ways YOU can encourage Congress to support this bill: 🔹 In-person meetings: This is the most effective and persuasive way to get your members of Congress to hear your opinions. You can call or email their offices to schedule an appointment with them in your home state. Find their contact information here: https://lnkd.in/grup5-2 🔹 Phone calls: Another great way to voice your support for the TSRA is by calling your members’ offices and asking them to pass the bill. Find a call script here: https://lnkd.in/ecqrF43M 🔹 Letter writing: Send an email to your Representatives! You can fill out our Take Action form that automatically identifies your Representative and provides you with a pre-written letter that you can edit before sending. https://lnkd.in/e3AGM_ED Visit our Information Center to learn more about the TSRA, watch videos from survivors, and find out how you can help advocate for this important bill: https://lnkd.in/gAQNJmFN

We are excited to announce the appointment of Megan Lundstrom as the new CEO of Polaris. Longtime survivor leader in the anti-trafficking movement, Ms. Lundstrom joined Polaris in 2023 as the Director of the Resilience Fund. Before this, she was the founder and CEO of The Avery Center, where her work focused on survivor-driven, evidence-based program development with a priority on economic empowerment. “I am honored to step into the role of CEO at Polaris and to work alongside the dedicated partners, advocates, and professionals committed to combating human trafficking. My focus is on strengthening collaboration across all sectors while ensuring that the experiences, needs, and rights of survivors remain at the heart of our work. Together, we can build meaningful solutions that create lasting change.” Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eQbzQs7n

HOTLINE WIN: We are proud of the role the National Human Trafficking Hotline plays in bringing traffickers to justice. A jury has sentenced Fabbian Donta Scott, a man from Port Arthur, Texas, to 40 years in prison after he was found guilty of trafficking two girls younger than 18-years-old. Scott was indicted on March 31, 2021 after a tip was received from the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Prosecutors claim Scott sexually exploited two 16-year-old girls at Beaumont hotels over several days, in multiple locations, cities and states by putting ads on websites that promote prostitution and selling sexual services in exchange for money. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ejfns4UF

We are proud to have the Polaris Resilience Fund included in this project! 

“When I tried to move forward, I was left struggling to make ends meet… although my colleagues vouched for me, my criminal record prevented me from keeping the job and pursuing a career.” Dr. Nissi Hamilton, a child trafficking survivor and CEO and Founder of a nonprofit called Nissi’s Network, Inc., shares her own experience to highlight the problem of criminalizing victims of human trafficking. Criminal records often keep survivors from securing employment, education, and financial stability — even years after exiting trafficking. The Trafficking Survivors Relief Act would create the first federal pathway for survivors of labor and sex trafficking to clear criminal records resulting from their trafficking experience, breaking down a massive barrier to survivors’ economic stability and mobility. Read her blog and take action to ask Congress to pass the TSRA: https://lnkd.in/eBHy--eb

Megan Cutter, Director of the National Human Trafficking Hotline, sits down with Comcast Newsmakers to discuss public awareness of human trafficking and the national efforts to help people at risk. During January’s Human Trafficking Awareness Month, learn about the impact of misinformation and what you can do to help: https://lnkd.in/e-t453wS

HOTLINE WIN: We are proud of the role the National Human Trafficking Hotline plays in bringing traffickers to justice. A man from Suffolk County, New York was sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to sex trafficking, and other related charges, for luring a woman experiencing homelessness to the area by promising her shelter and then forcing her to engage in sexual acts with others in exchange for money to “repay” him. On September 1, 2023, while the perpetrator was not in her presence, the victim contacted Polaris, the National Human Trafficking Hotline, to ask for help. Polaris immediately reached out to the Suffolk County Police Department, and officers were dispatched to recover the victim. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eCJhH-j6

In 2023, Polaris’s Resilience Fund successfully onboarded its inaugural cohort of 24 recipients who began receiving up to $500 per month for up to 18 months, which they used to cover critical expenses, transportation costs, healthcare payments, etc. With your continued support, we hope to continue this program in 2025. There are currently 300+ survivors on the waitlist – swipe to read their thoughts on the program! If you’re interested in supporting survivors of human trafficking through the Resilience Fund, please consider making a donation! https://lnkd.in/e7fUVfv6

Megan Lundstrom, Director of Polaris’s Resilience Fund, joined this episode of the Fight the New Drug podcast to discuss how OnlyFans’s portrayal of empowerment hides its exploitation risks. Listen to learn how human traffickers exploit OnlyFans to manipulate and harm vulnerable individuals. https://lnkd.in/eU3wVbFJ