Sexual Abuse Victim Released from Prison After 15 Years

HAVANA TIMES – Sex trafficking survivor Cyntoia Brown has been released from prison after serving 15 years behind bars for killing a man who sexually assaulted her, in what she said was an act of self-defense.

The shooting happened when Brown was just 16, but she was tried as an adult.

Brown, who is African-American, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison despite being trafficked and repeatedly sexually abused and drugged.

Brown was granted full clemency by Republican Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam in January after widespread outrage and a high-profile campaign calling for her release.

Cyntoia Brown said she was looking forward to “helping other women and girls suffering abuse and exploitation.”