Advocacy Organization
Polaris is a non profit with the aim of protecting vulnerable groups from human trafficking exploitation.
Exigence: There are thousands of enslaved people in the US today.
Audience: for purposes of this project, voting-eligible US citizens (they also do a lot of work training people with relevant jobs and doing research, but I’m going to focus on what seems to be their most wide-reaching initiative: Pressuring legislators to pass legislation that dismantles the institutions that promote trafficking)
Constraints: This is an extremely delicate, frightening subject, which can seem so horrible that it’s difficult to accept how widespread it is. The audience must be made to understand the gravity of the situation, but fear-mongering is to be avoided.
Example:
Youth and young adults experiencing homelessness often remain invisible as they live on the streets, in shelters, in their car or by staying temporarily with others. Homeless young people have already been failed by numerous systems – and people – who were supposed to help keep them safe. Some have left homes disrupted by addiction or where they did not feel safe. Others faced family challenges related to their sexual orientation or gender identity. Many have aged out of the foster care system, or have not gotten the help they needed from the child welfare system. They are in survival mode, lacking the basic necessities of life – a safe place to live, regular sources of food. That’s when traffickers swoop in.
The numbers tell the story. National Network for Youth states anywhere from 19 to 40 percent of homeless young people have been trafficked. Data from the Polaris-operated U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline shows being a runaway or homeless is the most significant risk factor for trafficking among LGBTQ+ young people.
They need your help.
Contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives. Tell them you want their leadership on the bipartisan Runaway and Homeless Youth Trafficking Prevention Act (HR5191/S2916).