The Inspiration Behind Sara’s Law Tells Her Story

Lit Hub, May 11, 2022: The Inspiration Behind Sara’s Law Tells Her Story

“The story she told was devastating. She spoke of the abuse she had suffered as a child at the hands of her mother, of being targeted and groomed by a man from her Los Angeles neighborhood at the age of 11, and trafficked by him at 13. When she was 16, she shot and killed her trafficker, was tried as an adult, and was sentenced to Life Without Parole.

“‘Dirty Water’ also featured a former trafficker who was incarcerated at San Quentin. In conversation with him, Sara politely allowed him to tell his story, then gently, firmly, and eloquently challenged him when he did not express full accountability for the harm he had caused his victims. She also explained why she does not like the labels ‘prostitute’ and ‘pimp’ and feels that ‘sex trafficked’ and ‘trafficker’ is more appropriate. Listening to her speak, I was in awe of the warrior-like force of Sara Jessimy Kruzan and thought to myself, ‘This woman should write a book. I’ve never heard a story like hers.’

“I had the good fortune to meet Sara in person and we became friends. I told her I thought she should write about her experience. She balked. In fact, it was not easy to convince her to agree to it. She thought that no one would be interested in what she had to say. I argued that I was, and I was sure others would be as well. Sara is very private. After her release from prison in 2013, she had made the decision to live outside the public eye, due to the abundant media interest in her case.”

Additional reading:

The Hill, April 16, 2019: Congress needs to pass Sara’s Law so the next Sara Kruzan is met with empathy, fairness

I Cried to Dream Again: Trafficking, Murder, and Deliverance — A Memoir by Sara Kruzan on bookshop.org

Ear Hustle, March 28, 2018: Episode 13: Dirty Water