The Truth About Trafficking
Behind Every Statistic Is A Story
Talitha Coffee is committed to ending trafficking and uplifting survivors along the way. We share these facts to honor resilience and invite our community to stand for freedom.
Human trafficking is the exploitation of people through force, fraud, or coercion for labor or sex.
Every statistic represents a human life: a life with dreams, dignity, and potential. By understanding the realities of trafficking, we take the first step toward change. Talitha exists to turn awareness into opportunity: creating real pathways for survivors to rebuild their futures.
To understand more about who we are and why we do this work, we invite you to read about our why.
Together we can turn awareness into action.
The Reality At A Glance
49.6 million people are trafficked worldwide.
Less than 1% of people who have been trafficked are ever rescued.
Here's the truth about trafficking today:
- Generates $150 billion annually.
- 71% of affected individuals are women, 29% men. Of these, 25% are children.
- Survivors need an average of 7 attempts to leave.
- 89% in the sex industry want to escape, but feel like they have no choice.
- 75% of people who have been trafficked report being sold online.
For more information: UNODC and trusted anti-trafficking organizations.
Trafficking Close To Home: San Diego
San Diego is not only our home, bit it is also one of the nation's epicenters of trafficking.
- Among the top 8 high-intensity areas for child sexual exploitation in the U.S.
- Generates an estimated $810 million annually from the illicit sex trade.
- Between 3,400 and 8,00 individuals are trafficked here each year.
This is our home, and it is also where we stand with survivors, building second chances and new beginnings in the heart of this crisis.
Why Survivors Can't Simply Walk Away
Trafficking thrives in vulnerability, and leaving it behind is rarely straightforward. Survivors face complex layers of risk, manipulation, and barriers.
Those Most Vulnerable
- Average age of entry: 11-14 years old.
- 1 in 3 runaways are solicited within 72 hours of leaving home, and 1 in 6 become trapped in exploitation.
- 55% attended school while being exploited.
- 60% spent time in foster care.
Obstacles To Freedom
- The majority of them were forced to recruit other girls while still under trafficking control.
- Trafficking survivors experience PTSD on the same level as veterans in hand-to-hand combat.
- Barriers include emotional ties, fear for loved ones, financial dependence, and lack of housing or opportunity.
*Statistics and information shown correspond to data from the United States.
These are not just statistics; they are reminders of how urgently survivors need pathways to safety, healing, and opportunity. That's where community -- and Talitha's mission -- steps in.
From Awareness To Action: Talitha's Response
Awareness is only the beginning. At Talitha, we believe real change happens when survivors are given the tools and support to rebuild their lives.
Here's how every sip makes a difference:
- Direct Employment: Survivors work in our cafés and roasting team, gaining stability and confidence.
- Training & Scholarships: Barista education and specialty coffee training open career pathways.
- Survivor Care Network: Housing, therapy, legal aid, and career support ensure holistic care.
Every cup carries hope. Every bag fuels freedom. This is the impact of Talitha Coffee.
Your daily ritual can change a life. Together, we can turn these realities into new beginnings.
Resources
If you or someone you know wants to learn more about trafficking -- or needs support -- these official organizations provide trusted information, education, and pathways to help.
- A-21 Campaign
- Treasures Los Angeles
- Guardian Group
- Freedom Business Alliance
- International Justice Mission
- Justice 180
- Polaris Project
- Cast LA
- Exodus Cry
- Rebecca Bender Initiative
- Zoe International
