EVIDENCE
Sources & Evidence
The public research behind the claims we make about survivors, entrepreneurship, and economic freedom.
Last updated: July 2026
We believe in citing our sources. Every statistic and claim on this site traces to published, public research. We also keep our own copy of each report, so a citation never disappears if a source moves or reorganizes its website. Reports marked On file are archived by Connect 2 Change and available on request.
This page shares research about survivors as a group. It contains no participant names, stories, or identifying information.
Survivor livelihoods (national)
In Harm’s Way: How Systems Fail Human Trafficking Survivors On file
Polaris Project, National Survivor Study, 2023
The largest national study to date on survivors’ lives after trafficking. Backs our figures that 43% of survivors earn under $25,000 a year, 60%+ have experienced financial abuse, and that income often does not improve over time (70% earn under $25,000 in their first two years out, and 29% still do 7+ years later). Also documents how criminal records tied to exploitation block traditional hiring. View report
Punishing the Victim: Recovery Barriers for Survivors with Criminal Records
Polaris Project, National Survivor Study, 2023
62% of survivors were arrested, cited, or detained at least once — 81% of them during their exploitation. 42% have a criminal record, and 90% of those say the arrests were tied to their trafficking. Records blocked 69% from a job, 63% from education or a professional license, 59% from housing, and 35% from custody of their children. A core reason traditional hiring fails survivors, and why entrepreneurship offers a way around the barrier. View brief
Economic Stability & Financial Access
Polaris Project, National Survivor Study, 2022
Documents financial abuse and exclusion: 61% of survivors said someone in their exploitation had access to their financial accounts, and 53% said a trafficker misused their identity. Survivors are about twice as likely to be unbanked and far more likely to rely on payday loans. After exit, 59% need to repair credit and 47% need to open a bank account. View brief
Local Sacramento data
Estimating the Prevalence of Sex Trafficking in Sacramento County On file
RTI International with CASH and Sacramento State ISR, 2022
Local prevalence research specific to our service area, grounding why this work matters in Sacramento. View report
Why entrepreneurship works for survivors
Path to Freedom (economic empowerment for survivors)
Restore NYC, 2022
Finds that entrepreneurship gives survivors a viable path to income, confidence, and control, and does not require work authorization or a clean record, routing around the barriers traditional jobs create. Reports that 79% of survivors in its programs are interested in entrepreneurship. Restore NYC
Guiding Principles for Economic Empowerment Programming for Survivors
Futures Without Violence, 2021
Source of our line that “microenterprise development is among the most effective and accessible ways to create jobs and income for disadvantaged women,” and that economic security is a means to long-term independence and safety. View resource
Our strengths-based approach
Rooted in Strengths: Celebrating the Strengths Perspective in Social Work On file
University of Kansas Libraries, 2020
Academic foundation for the strengths-based, survivor-designed model of the Rebuild & Rise Academy. View book
Principles of the Strengths Perspective
University of Kansas, School of Social Welfare
The core principles behind starting with a person’s strengths. View principles
Women in business (the opportunity)
Women-Owned Businesses in California On file
USC Sol Price School of Public Policy, 2025
California-specific data on women’s business ownership and its economic impact. USC Price research
Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) women’s entrepreneurship reports On file
Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, 2016–2022
International benchmarks on women’s entrepreneurship and the gaps C2C works to close. GEM Consortium
Tools we teach
The Business Model Canvas
Strategyzer
A core planning tool used in the Academy curriculum. View resource
Economic-need baseline
CalWORKs Annual Summary On file
California Department of Social Services, 2023
Baseline context on welfare-to-work and economic mobility in California. CalWORKs
Questions about a source, or want a copy of a report on file? Email info@connect2change.org.