Airbnb strengthens support for anti-trafficking organization Polaris

Global: Airbnb has strengthened its partnership with anti-trafficking organization Polaris by announcing that its Global Modern Slavery Directory will now be available in six additional languages: Arabic, Russian, Malay, Hindi, Tagalog, and Ukrainian.

Airbnb said the partnership with Polaris was a sign of its commitment to use its “global reach” to support efforts to combat human trafficking and exploitation, working with governments, law enforcement and other organizations around the world.

The home-sharing company is subsidizing the translation into more languages ​​of the Directory, which serves as a resource for victims and survivors of human trafficking and exploitation to quickly connect with global agencies addressing such issues. As a result, the availability of the Directory in more languages ​​will ensure that more people around the world have access to this vital support.

Airbnb also announced that it will provide additional funding to Polaris to modernize its data capabilities, allowing the company to better support victims and organizations working to combat human trafficking.

Patrick McIntyre, Chief Development and External Affairs Officer for Polaris, said: “The Global Modern Slavery Directory is a vital resource for victims and survivors of human trafficking to identify and contact the agencies best placed to help them. By making the Directory available in six new languages, we are making this resource accessible to more people than ever before.

“Airbnb has been an important partner in this effort and we are grateful for their continued support as we strive for a world where no one is exploited and everyone has the freedom, power and opportunity to choose how they live and work,” he added.

Tara Bunch, Global Head of Operations at Airbnb, said: “While reported incidents on Airbnb are rare, we remain committed to using our platform’s global reach and community to play a role in the fight against human trafficking and exploitation. We’re proud to partner with organizations like Polaris and support the vital work they’re doing to tackle this issue and support survivors and victims around the world.”

Airbnb and Polaris, which operates the U.S. Human Trafficking Hotline, entered into a partnership in 2018 to support each other with measures and initiatives to combat human trafficking and exploitation. Measures include Airbnb launching a Trust and Safety Advisory Coalition, joining the World Travel & Tourism Council’s global task force to combat and prevent human trafficking, training Airbnb employees to prevent and report suspected cases of sexual exploitation, expanding the Supplier Code of Ethics, and reinforcing a shared commitment to the sexual exploitation of children.