I always wondered what the typical fate of a whistleblower was. Most of us have watched 60 Minutes on TV and know they get screwed royally. But I finally found a study quoted as to what normally happens, and thought it interesting:

A study of 233 whistleblowers was conducted years ago, to explore the effect on one who blows the whistle on a corporation. Their findings:

The average whistle blower is a man in his 40s with a strong conscience and high moral values. I was near the age of 40 when I became a whistle blower.

After blowing the whistle, 90 percent of whistle blowers were fired or demoted. 27 percent faced lawsuits themselves. 26 percent had to seek psychiatric or physical care. 25 percent suffered substance abuse. 17 percent lost their homes. 15 percent experienced divorce. 10 percent attempted suicide. 8 percent were bankrupt. But in spite of all of this, only 16 percent said they would not blow the whistle again.

Source: http://www.henrymakow.com/i_was_a_corporate_whistle_blow.html