Dear Friends and Allies:
Today's Washington Post article, "The state of Ohio vs. a sex trafficked teenager," digs deep into the mishandling of the case of a then Ohio 15-year-old Alexis Martin who was groomed and sold by a seasoned sex trafficker (after years of family abuse and homelessness). Along with Alexis, the Post's Jessica Contrera reports on the state of Jordan and Jessica's pending case, including the fact that Jessica now faces the possible death penalty.
What does this have to do with Tiffany? Well, if we get this article in the hands of those who decide her fate (looking at you, Mr. Same Prosecutor As Before), and raise the number of signatures, we have a much better shot at her friend.
We have to keep pushing this petition out to help Tiffany! Will you help by sharing on your social media?
Locking up survivors of trafficking is not some unavoidable tragedy of the justice system; the tragedy is if we know how to help protect survivors from this form of injustice and do not do so. This is the work of the Survivor Justice Initiative newly launched by Karana Rising, Dressember and survivors and allies across the country.
In the article, Alexis' own attorney even acknowledges he did not advocate for her or even understand her own victimization despite her admitting to having a pimp.
Even while now free, she will live with life debilitating consequences. She is one of many survivors, including Jessica and Jordan Hampton, facing life sentences or even the death penalty. There is a groundswell of survivors rising up to stop this form of injustice. If traffickers are so skilled at finding vulnerable children, then we have to be even better at helping them before they end up like Alexis, Jessica, Jordan, Tiffany and so many more.
Today, we have been actively working to get this article into the hands of those deciding the fate of survivors we are advocating with and for right now.
Here are ways you can help:
1. Please read, share and then sign the below petitions for Jessica and Jordan (www.change.org/freejessicandjordan and Tiffany Simpson (www.change.org/freetiffanysimpson
2. Watch Lack of Love featuring survivor Tiffany Simpson: www.tinyurl.com/lackoflove
3. Support Survivors here: https://karanarising.givingfuel.com/survivor-justice-fund
Thank you for believing in Jessica and Jordan. We need you now more than ever.
With gratitude,
Andrea (and every survivor at Karana Rising, including Tiffany)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/interactive/2021/child-sex-trafficking-alexis-martin-ohio/