Polaris Study of Human Trafficking Survivors: National Survivor Study

Trafficking Survivors Experience Serious Economic and Social Barriers After Exploitation

Polaris, s leading organization to end sex and labor trafficking in North America has published the National Survivor Study, essential research of human trafficking survivors in the United States.  

The study found that survivors face substantial barriers to recovery following exit from their trafficking experience. Key data findings include: 

• 43 percent of survey respondents were making under $25,000 per year, compared to 26 percent of the general US population.
• 54 percent of respondents reported that their own resourcefulness was one of their most valuable sources of support. 
• 40 percent of respondents reported some kind of criminal record as a result of their trafficking experience.
• Over 60 percent of respondents reported experiencing financial abuse by their trafficker.

These results demonstrate that survivors of human trafficking in the United States are far from thriving, and that the systems that are supposed to support them are failing. 

Download the full report for further data about the survivor experience.

KJ