She was Raped 43,200 Times. Now She's Ready to Fight Back

Sex Trafficking in Mexico no longer a niche market

By Nashmina Lakhani, 

Karla Jacinto

How does one react to news when you hear that a woman was a victim of human trafficking and was raped 43,200 times? Mexico-based Karla Jacinto shares the devastating story of her life. 

The number sounds astonishing, however, when you break it down it is an average of about 12 men per day over 10 years, or 24 men per day over 5 years. There is no indication in this article as to how long Karla was trafficked, but, while horrifying, the numbers are not unrealistic.

Karla came from a dysfunctional family, and hence her trafficker attracted her with gifts money, fast cars, and of course, a dream of a better future. He convinced Karla to move to Tenancingo, a Mexican town in the state of Tlaxcala, with him. Little did she know what is in store for her.

Talking about her horrible past experience, Janice told CNN that after three months, her trafficker took her to Guadalajara, one of Mexico's largest cities, where she was forced to work as a prostitute. She also said that she started at 10 am and finished at midnight. Some men would laugh at her, when she cried. Karla told CNN, "I had to close my eyes so that I wouldn't see what they were doing to me, so that I wouldn't feel anything."

Karla also talked about how she was abused by her trafficker if he would find kiss marks on her neck, by her customer. He would beat her with a chain and punch with his fist, pull her hair and spit on her face. Karla also claimed that a police operation was held in order to save her and other girls from this torture, but it turned into a horrific incident as the officer started filming the girls in compromising positions. Some girls were as young as 10.

It's not new to the world that Mexico is suffering from the human trafficking issue since years. In fact, the statistics around the subject are alarming as they claim that about 20,000 people become a victim of trafficking every year in Mexico. Moreover, 1 out of 5 children in the town aspires to become a pimp, while two-thirds know at least one relative or friend working as one.

Karla's testimony brings the light back on the fact that it's high time a strong action is taken against such criminals. Her testimony will be used as evidence for HR 515 (International Megan's Law to Prevent Demand for Child Sex), in order to spread awareness amongst people about sex offenders.

Karla, you are my hero today; God bless you.