Montgomery, Alabama – A woman previously exploited for political gain by Alabama Senator Katie Britt recently spoke out against legislators who use stories of human trafficking for political purposes. In an interview with CNN, Karla Jacinto revealed that she was trafficked before President Joe Biden’s term and expressed her frustration over politicians seeking to exploit her story for their own agendas.
Jacinto, a survivor of human trafficking and an advocate for victims, emphasized the importance of empathy from lawmakers when addressing issues of modern-day slavery. She criticized the use of her story by Mexican politicians for political gain and expressed disappointment in similar exploitation in the United States.
During Britt’s Republican response to President Biden’s State of the Union address, she recounted a story of speaking with a woman who had been sex trafficked by cartels at a young age. However, Jacinto clarified that she met the senator at a border event with other officials and activists, rather than in a one-on-one conversation as portrayed by Britt. Jacinto also highlighted discrepancies in Britt’s account, emphasizing that her own trafficking experience occurred before Biden’s presidency and was not linked to Mexican drug cartels.
In response to inquiries from CNN, Britt’s spokesperson defended the senator’s narrative, stating that her account was accurate. Britt herself clarified that she did not intend to mislead regarding the timeline of the trafficking incident and reiterated her criticism of President Biden’s border policies.
As the debate surrounding human trafficking and political rhetoric continues, Jacinto’s story serves as a reminder of the complex realities faced by survivors and the importance of accurate and sensitive storytelling. The exploitation of personal tragedies for political gain underscores the need for empathy and understanding in addressing the pervasive issue of human trafficking.