What we currently know about where sex trafficking victim Cyntoia Brown is now

Olivia Harvey
Updated
What we currently know about where sex trafficking victim Cyntoia Brown is now
What we currently know about where sex trafficking victim Cyntoia Brown is now

In 2004, then 16-year-old Cyntoia Brown was sentenced to life in prison for killing 43-year-old Johnny Mitchell Allen, who had bought Cyntoia for sex. According to her sentence, Brown will be eligible for parole after serving 51 years.

In 2011, filmmaker Daniel Birman produced a documentary after following Brown’s case for seven years. The film revealed how Brown had been raped and abused during her childhood, and was ultimately a victim of the sex trafficking industry.

Brown’s case and Birman’s film helped change Tennessee law in 2011. Now, any person 18 years of age or younger cannot be charged with prostitution, meaning if Brown’s case came to trial in 2017, the court would treat her as a child human trafficking victim. Yet she still sits in prison serving a life sentence.

Derri Smith, the Founder of End Slavery TN, told local Fox 17 News Nashville, “She did kill someone, she deeply regrets it, but she was a child and she was being exploited.”

Recently, an image of Brown taken from Birman’s documentary has gone viral, and has even been shared by stars like Rihanna and Kim Kardashian West. The caption included with the photo briefly summarizes Brown’s tragic story. Those who are sharing the photo are doing so using the hashtag #FreeCyntoiaBrown.

did we somehow change the definition of #JUSTICE along the way?? cause..... Something is horribly wrong when the system enables these rapists and the victim is thrown away for life! To each of you responsible for this child's sentence I hope to God you don't have children, because this could be your daughter being punished for punishing already! #FREECYNTOIABROWN #HowManyMore

A post shared by badgalriri (@badgalriri) on Nov 21, 2017 at 5:12am PST

Presently, a dedicated group of people in Brown’s hometown are working on a clemency campaign to free the now 28-year-old. They desperately want the Governor and Parole Board to reconsider Brown’s sentence. The laws have changed and Brown has done a great deal of positive work behind bars.

The most recent photo of Brown is from her December 2016 graduation from Lipscomb University, which is where she earned her Associate’s Degree.

She’s currently working toward her Bachelor’s Degree while holding a position as an unpaid consultant for the Juvenile Justice system, Fox 17 reports.

p u s h | [#repost] #luvyourmane ・・・ #CyntoiaBrown's story resurfaced recently because of an image which originated from filmmaker Daniel Birman’s 2011 documentary following the Tennessee-native’s case. The film gave insight on the physical, sexual and verbal abuse Brown suffered as a child before she was solicited for sex by 43-year-old realtor Johnny Mitchell Allen. Brown shot and killed Allen after being taken to his home. Birman’s documentary helped change sex trafficking and prostitution laws in Tennessee. Now only adults 18 years and older can be charged for prostitution. Children are deemed victims of sex trafficking in the state. But the new law didn't pertain to Brown. Brown, now 29, has already spent nearly 13 years in prison. She completed her associate's degree behind bars and is reportedly working on her bachelors. She also serves as an unpaid consultant at the Juvenile Justice system. A number of Tennessee residents rallied for Brown’s freedom, launching a clemency petition. So far, it has received more than 100,000 signatures.

A post shared by Khandi ft. Lavaman - Everybody (@khanditheartiste) on Nov 21, 2017 at 1:19pm PST

The social media campaign will hopefully bring awareness to a case that has stolen 13 years from a sex trafficking victim’s life. If Brown’s case is reconsidered, her freedom will mean the world, not only to her, but for others who have fallen victim to the same tragedy.