Press Advisory: On October 27th a critical hearing will determine if incarcerated child sex trafficking survivor Tiffany Simpson will have a chance at freedom
After serving 10 years in prison, incarcerated child sex trafficking survivor Tiffany Simpson, will finally have a day in court. Her hearing, known as a habeas hearing, seeks to prove that Tiffany did not receive adequate representation during her trial. This hearing could pave the way toward her freedom.
Tiffany Simpson is a 28 year old survivor of child sex trafficking who is currently in Pulaski State Prison in Hawkinsville, Georgia. At the age of 17, Tiffany was charged with child sex trafficking after her trafficker sold another teenage girl for sex. Our own exploitation began at age 14. When Tiffany became pregnant, her then 34 year old trafficker threatened to kill her unborn baby and burn her grandmother’s house down if she did not help him recruit another teen girl. She was sentenced to 30 years in jail for the very crime that was done to her and her own trafficking was never investigated.
Tiffany’s incredible journey is featured in a short 5 minute animated documentary, Lack of Love, directed by Noel Keserwany. When asked what led to her trafficking, Tiffany stated, it was a total lack of love.
“This is a form of double injustice many survivors of human trafficking, even children, face by a justice system that does not protect and serve survivors. This is why we support Tiffany Simpson’s freedom and are working with her to advance a survivor movement to ensure no survivor is jailed as a result of their own trafficking,” says Karana Rising’s co-creator and executive director, Andrea Powell.
The national movement to free survivors of human trafficking is growing, beginning with survivors like Sara Kruzman, Cynotia Brown, Alexis Martin and Chrystul Kiser. Tiffany Simpson’s Change.org petition, initiated by survivor leaders at Karana Rising, has now garnered more than 25,000 signatures, signifying a public shift in understanding that survivors of human trafficking also deserve their #MeToo justice. Only, instead specific male perputrators of sexual assault or exploitation like Jeffrey Epstein, the #MeToo is targeting an unjust legal process that allows for survivors like Tiffany to be incarcerated.
“I didn’t even know I was a victim of human trafficking. Neither did my defense attorney. It was not until I was in jail that I understood that I was a victim. It should not be on the victims themselves to design their own legal defense. We deserve well-trained defense attorneys who can apply laws that ensure we are not charged as criminals for actions we were forced to commit as victims of trafficking. We also deserve to have our own victimization investigated and to receive protection, not prosecution. I’m standing up for my rights so that other survivors can also be free. No one deserves this pain,” says Tiffany Simpson from Pulaski State Prison during a conversation with Karana Rising.
Tiffany is now an advocate for other survivors and awaiting her freedom so that she can attend college and regain custody of her 10 year old son. Karana Rising, her attorney and thousands of allies are awaiting her chance at freedom.
For press inquiries:
Andrea Powell, co-creator and executive director, Karana Rising andrea@karanarising.org, +617–785–9243
About Karana Rising: Karana Rising is a community of survivors who are harnessing the pain and exploitation of their past, wielding it as their power to create stronger and better futures for themselves and fellow survivors around the globe. Believing in a whole health approach, Karana Rising sets itself apart from fellow service providers by supporting survivors for life, not just a season, customizing a path to wellness that involves body, mind, soul, and community. Our survivor advocacy work focuses on reimagining the systems and policies that must change to ensure all survivors are protected from injustice by the very legal and social welfare systems that should protect them.
Learn more about Tiffany and survivor justice:
Free Tiffany Simpson petition: www.change.org/freetiffanysimpson
Lack of Love short documentary: www.tiny.url/lackoflove
Survivor Justice Initiative: www.freetiffany.org
