Turn on the news these days and what do you see? College campuses turned into “warzones,” fringe radicals fighting in the streets, and professional athletes taking a knee during the National Anthem. But while Americans tear each other apart over what we consider to be injustice and oppression, unspeakable acts of very real abuse are going on all over the world.
Right now, more than 40 million people are enslaved. That’s more than the total number of slaves that existed during the height of the slave trade in the 1700 and 1800’s.
“I reached a point where my whole life collapsed …”
Today on the show, Glenn talks with Karla Jacinto, a former victim of human trafficking in Mexico. Karla was only 12 years old when she was targeted by a sex-trafficker who lured her away from her abusive mother with kind words and promises of a better life. Instead, her life became a living hell.
For the next four years, Karla was forced into prostitution, working from 10 am to midnight, seven days a week. If she displeased her captures in any way she was severely beaten and burned. If she attempted to escape, her traffickers threatened to harm or even kill her family members.
“I began to just close my eyes and client, after client, after client came in, constantly,” said Karla. “I reached a point where my whole life collapsed in that moment. One day became two, weeks became months, and then years.”
My life is a bank page and I am its only author. This is Karla’s story.
In 2008, at the age of 16, Karla was rescued during a human trafficking sting. She has since become an outspoken advocate against human trafficking, telling her heart-wrenching tale at various events, to the US Congress, and even Pope Francis at the Vatican . Her story has gained international attention and helped shed light on the terrible crimes being committed in Mexico.
