Sara Kruzan: child sex trafficking survivor

** Disclaimer: This episode contains graphic content, sexual abuse, violence and other mature themes. Listener discretion is advised. Sara Kruzan is a survivor. When Sara was only 11 years old, she met a man who groomed her to be exploited and sold for sex. From 13 to 16 years old, she was trafficked. And after years of systematic, dehumanizing rape and torture, she finally escaped, only to return a few days later and kill her trafficker on the orders of a local gangster who used her as bait to rob him. When Sara went to trial, the pain and trauma she experienced as a child was not admitted into evidence, nor was the fact that the victim was her trafficker. The mastermind of the crime was also not implicated. Without that evidence, the prosecution, the judge, and the media depicted Sara as a sophisticated killer – a far too common response for girls of color in our country, especially when sex or a murder is involved. Sara was tried as an adult and sentenced to life in prison without parole, plus four years. In 2013, after Human Rights Watch took up her case pro bono. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger reduced Sara’s sentence, making her eligible for a parole hearing. Sara left prison on October 31, 2013. Since Sara’s release she has worked tirelessly to reform the way the criminal legal system treats children who have been abused and exploited. She has a fierce advocate working with the non-profit organization Human Rights for Kids to educate and has led to the creation and introduction of “Sara’s Law” in more than a half a dozen states and the U.S. Congress. These protections allow judges to depart from harsh mandatory minimums, suspend sentences, and keep child victims in juvenile court instead of adult court. Sara has also written a riveting memoir about her life experiences and advocacy work, entitled I Cried to Dream Again: Trafficking, Murder, and Deliverance, (Pantheon.) Time and again, Sara had been victimized. She was let down by an abusive mother, by school authorities, social services, doctors, and the justice system. Through it all, Sara has remained a kind and compassionate woman. Although Sara's experiences are devastating and horrific -- hers is also one of the most powerful, inspiring stories of hope, persistence, grit, resilience, and unbelievable strength. Sara shows all of us that we CAN overcome, live with and move forward with unimaginable trauma. She sets an example of how to fight to create the changes the world needs-and how to be the champion you never had.  This is very special set of Reppin episodes. Sara's discussion is part one of two. Please join us for part 2 as we continue this conversation with the co-author of Sara's book, Cori Thomas, an award-winning playwright and advocate for the incarcerated. Cori will bring us further into Sara's story, and describe what she learned from Sara. Human trafficking is happening right in front of us. Exploitation and violation of all kinds are happening to people of all ages--even very young children. Ignoring it doesn't make it go away-it actually makes it more possible. Knowing that each of us has POWER to change how the world is--and to save another life is what we should embrace, own and exercise. Imagine the change you could make in another's life--just starts with one small step. This is truly one of the most important and astonishing stories of our times —and Sara to me, is so amazingly inspiring. I’m privileged to have her on this podcast and to know her. Be sure to purchase a copy of her powerful page-turner of a memoir: I Cried to Dream Again: Trafficking, Murder, and Deliverance https://bookshop.org/p/books/i-cried-to-dream-again-trafficking-murder-and-deliverance-a-memoir-sara-kruzan/17377464?ean=9780593315880 If you would like to learn more, help or TO GET HELP: humanrightsforkids.org rights4girls.org  worldwithoutexploitation.org ecpatusa.org  sharedhope.org  polarisproject.org  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices