John,

What’s possible in 20 years?

Real progress! Some of which I want to share with you today — while also looking to what’s next…and how you can help.

As we mark two decades since Polaris was founded, we’re celebrating victories with, and for, survivors. We want to thank you for your support, making progress possible for justice and freedom.

Public policy greatly influences whether and how human trafficking happens — and the experiences of victims and survivors. I’m proud to report:

Over the past 20 years, we’ve played a leadership role in passing eight federal and 100+ state laws across all 50 states. With committed advocates like you, we’ve improved social services, criminal justice, and labor and immigration policies. Each win has helped victims and survivors, as well as changed the systems that make trafficking possible.

Among the victories:

• Over the past five years, we’ve advanced national criminal justice reforms — including “safe harbor” policies for minors, and criminal record relief for both minors and adults.

• We’ve been at the table for every reauthorization of the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act, building bipartisan support and working with coalition partners and survivors.

• And, most recently, we’ve led the way on the Debt Bondage Repair Act to help survivors repair credit history. It’s an important step for solidarity with survivors to have better financial footing.

If you’re with us, here’s what we can do together in 2023:

• Reauthorize the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, keeping it current and ensuring funding for the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline.

• Get the Trafficking Survivors Relief Act passed, providing federal criminal records relief for survivors who were forced to commit crimes as part of their trafficking experience.

• Gain stronger labor protections for workers, preventing trafficking from even happening.

• And increase funding for anti-trafficking programs in appropriations bills, strengthening the movement and ultimately benefiting victims and survivors.

Please find out more about what YOU can do. You can play a powerful role in ending human trafficking. Your action truly matters.