Polaris (formerly Polaris Project)’s Post

Did you know that January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month in the United States? It’s a moment for increased advocacy and momentum in the fight against human trafficking. At The Exodus Road, as a global nonprofit with programs and offices in the U.S., we’re adding our voice to the chorus of advocates endorsing the reauthorization of the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2023 (H.R. 5856). In the words of our CEO Laura Parker: "Human trafficking continues to have a widespread and life-changing impact on millions of the most vulnerable in our societies. It represents a systemic and expanding human rights violation of our time, and we need policymakers to continue to lead the effort in valuing the lives and freedom of every man, woman, and child. H.R. 5856 is an excellent step towards ensuring those freedoms globally in the anti-trafficking sector, and The Exodus Road is in full support.” We’re grateful to Congressman Chris Smith for sponsoring this critical legislation that aids in the fight against human trafficking. We are hopeful that the House Foreign Affairs Committee, House Education and the Workforce Committee, and the House Judiciary Committee will swiftly push forward this important act. Read more from Laura about our endorsement of H.R. 5856 and how you can join us in supporting the Act:

What are some of the dangers of "red flags?" Via the National Survivor Network: This document, prepared for the Office for Victims of Crime by the Human Trafficking Collaborative, National Survivor Network, and the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery, outlines why the framework of training and screening using “red flags” may not be as useful as we once thought. https://lnkd.in/gaccUMSH

New Jersey has 21 counties all of which have digital forensic laboratories staffed with seriously credentialed SME’s. New Jersey has one of the largest Regional Computer Forensic Laboratories in the country with 25+ FBI FE’s. The New Jersey State Police has a ICAC Unit and seperate Cyber Unit with 10+ qualified Troopers and over 50 task force members. The NJ Division of Criminal Justice has a High Tech Unit with seriously credentialed SME’s. The Secret Service has sent multiple NJ Law Enforcement personnel to their extraordinary NCFI and equipped them with thousands of dollars of equipment and training. The problem in NJ is not money or resources - we have an abundance of both and a 30-year history of being on the cutting edge of investigations involving technology. The FBI, Secret service and other federal agencies could not have done more for our state. My home county has an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited $500,000 digital forensic lab. In 2022, we received 322 Cyber-Tips and made 5 arrests in Ocean County, NJ. The average detective/police officer is making over $100,000 a year and we are wealthy, well educated and positioned between Philadelphia and NYC with 9 million people. There is a problem, but the problem is not resources. I travel in the developing world and meet law enforcement FE’s from every state through IACIS and other training events and am always amazed at how much they accomplish with so little. Why is NJ accomplishing so little with so much?

Domestic violence takes many forms and extends far beyond physical harm. Emotional manipulation, financial control, verbal threats, and isolation are all tactics abusers use to maintain power over their victims. No one should feel trapped or silenced. ⚠️ Abuse can look like: - Constant criticism, insults, or humiliation - Withholding money or access to financial resources - Controlling where you go, who you see, or what you do - Using threats to intimidate or manipulate 💜 Help is Available: If you or someone you know is experiencing any form of domestic abuse, it's important to know that there is help and support. Don’t hesitate to reach out to these trusted resources: 📞 National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) 💻 Visit: www.thehotline.org for anonymous chat and more information. You deserve to feel safe, respected, and valued. Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Let’s break the silence and support each other. #DomesticViolenceAwareness #BreakTheCycle #YouAreNotAlone

Every child deserves a safe and happy childhood free from exploitation and abuse. Yet harrowing statistics show that 1 billion children globally are estimated to experience sexual violence. We have the power to change this. At the Assembly Las Vegas, we're partnering with the Child Rescue Coalition, Inc. to discuss: ♦️ How payments fuel these illicit activities ♦️ The impact financial institutions and law enforcement can have in making a difference. ♦️The vital role of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in combating this AFC typology This is an opportunity for anti-financial crime professionals to learn, collaborate, and take action. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of vulnerable children. Join us and be part of the solution. https://bit.ly/49Xgkc0 For more information on the ACAMS "Preventing Online Child Exploitation with financial Intelligence" free impact certificate, click here: https://bit.ly/3O5ry6z

Every child deserves a safe and happy childhood free from exploitation and abuse. Yet harrowing statistics show that 1 billion children globally are estimated to experience sexual violence. We have the power to change this. At the Assembly Las Vegas, we're partnering with the Child Rescue Coalition, Inc. to discuss: ♦️ How payments fuel these illicit activities ♦️ The impact financial institutions and law enforcement can have in making a difference. ♦️The vital role of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in combating this AFC typology This is an opportunity for anti-financial crime professionals to learn, collaborate, and take action. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of vulnerable children. Join us and be part of the solution. https://bit.ly/49Xgkc0 For more information on the ACAMS "Preventing Online Child Exploitation with financial Intelligence" free impact certificate, click here: https://bit.ly/3O5ry6z

📢 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝟑𝟎 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 – 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀! This year's global campaign for World Day Against Trafficking in Persons calls for accelerated action to end child trafficking. Amid overlapping crises such as armed conflicts, pandemics, economic hardships, and environmental challenges, children are increasingly vulnerable to trafficking. Civil society organisations, the private sector, and communities play a vital role in raising awareness, providing support services, and advocating for policy reforms. 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗨𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗧 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 & 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗔𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗲 In 2021, the Council agreed on 10 EU-wide crime priorities and 15 operational action plans (OAPs) to be addressed by EMPACT over the 2022-2025 period. EMPACT's 2023 results for human trafficking include: • 7,500 victims identified • 1,200 traffickers arrested across various operations • Approximately 300 safe houses used for trafficking dismantled 𝗜𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀, 𝘄𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗴𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆. Please feel free to share any additional insights or strategies to combat child exploitation! Stay tuned & enjoy the summer!

Domestic abuse affects everyone, and ensuring the safety and dignity of victims is paramount. These figures from the Office for National Statistics show that 1.4 million women and 751,000 men in England and Wales experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2023. These numbers remind us of the critical need for sensitive and effective approaches to support victims. At BLD, we are proud to provide Odyssey Live — an all-systems approach designed to handle the extraction of evidence from victim and witness devices with compassion and consent at the forefront. How does Odyssey help? Informed Consent: Victims and witnesses have control over the process, choosing a location where they feel most comfortable. The entire procedure is clearly explained in multiple languages, ensuring they fully understand and voluntarily agree before any data is collected. Relevant Data Only: Odyssey's selective extraction technology reduces the time and storage needed for gathering evidence, focusing only on the necessary data. Privacy Respected: Victims are in control, guiding the process and previewing the Digital Evidence Pack, which helps to speed up case progression and ensures that their rights are protected. By focusing on a victim-led approach, Odyssey ensures that while perpetrators are pursued, victims' needs and rights are never compromised. Let’s continue to advocate for systems that prioritise both justice and compassion. #DomesticAbuse #Odyssey #SupportSurvivors #VictimCentric #JusticeWithCompassion #EndDomesticViolence

"Why doesn't she just leave?" is a question we often get. Because many trafficking victims are not physically confined or restrained, this can seem puzzling. But leaving a trafficker cannot be reduced to a simple choice of staying or leaving. The reality of this issue is very complex. In addition to potential physical danger, leaving a trafficker has significant psychological and emotional challenges. The strong trauma bonds between victim and abuser alongside manipulation controls and isolates victims from family and friends. There are many additional reasons as well, but at its core, fear is a driving factor: fear of physical retaliation, fear of service providers and law enforcement, fear of the social and cultural ramifications, fear of being victim blamed and rejected. Our communities need to recognize these barriers, take action to remove them, and support women in safely exiting their exploitation. Together, we can bring a wide range of support as they live in freedom, dignity, and victory! #HumanTraffickingAwarenessMonth

Which EU directive secures victims' rights? 👉 Directive 2012/29/EU represents a milestone in the development of victims’ rights, establishing minimum standards for the rights, support and protection of victims of crime. 👉 On 12 July 2023, the Commission proposed amendments to the Victims’ Rights Directive. 👉 The revision of the Victims’ Rights Directive addresses problems identified in the Evaluation of the Directive adopted in June 2022. The amendments relate to five main victims’ rights: access to information, improved support and protection, improved participation in criminal proceedings and facilitated access to compensation. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dmdb2cBz