An out pour of support went out on social media recently for sex trafficking victim Chrystul Kizer. Many were demanding her freedom as she her story was somewhat similar to Cyntoia Brown. Both women were imprisoned for killing their sex offender while trying to escape. Cyntoia recently posted a photo wearing a free Chrystul Kizer sweater on social media for support and awareness of the case.
According to The Washington Post Last week, Chrystul Kizer, charged with first-degree intentional homicide and arson in the death of a 33-year-old man who had sexually abused her multiple times, was told by a Wisconsin judge that she faces life in prison. She was 17 when she is alleged to have shot him.
The post also reported that Kizer’s case fell, due to legal loopholes. A law allowed a judge to deny Kizer the ability to use an “affirmative defense”. Without affirmative defense she was not able to argue that she should be acquitted because the crime occurred as a result of her being trafficked. Now, unless her appeal is successful, a law specifically designed to protect victims of sex trafficking simply would not apply to Kizer. It is only when we bring the cracks in the system to light that we can effectively lobby to close them. It is only in closing these cracks that we can ensure justice for all.
A 2016 Vera Institute report showed that 86 percent of all women in jail report having experienced sexual violence in their lifetime, 77 percent report partner violence, and 60 percent report caregiver violence. What a Christmas gift, to know that Kizer has been free, however there are many more women waiting behind bars for justice.
“An injustice to one is a threat to us all.” #FreeEveryCyntoia
