Jennifer Kempton: Former Sex Slave And Victims' Advocate Dies At 35

COLUMBUS, OH – Jennifer Kempton, a former sex slave who started a Columbus organization called Survivor's Ink, dedicated to helping victims of human trafficking, has died. Her family told The Guardian she died Thursday of a drug overdose.

A Columbus resident, Kempton survived child abuse, street prostitution and drug addiction – and was also “branded” with tattoos by pimps to mark their “ownership" of her as a sex slave. After escaping her captors, she spent 18 months in rehab, her life changed, and she established Survivor's Ink, a charity that helped fellow survivors have such tattoos covered up or removed. (For more Columbus news and breaking alerts, please subscribe here.)

In her days as a sex slave, Kempton had been kidnapped and taken to an Akron-area hotel, where she was raped and forced to have sex with many men for more than a week. She was forced then by her former boyfriend-turned-pimp to get a tattoo that said “Property of Salem,” according to the Columbus Dispatch.

To help her recover, Kempton had the tattoo covered with a heart-shaped lock holding a key, representing God unlocking her chains. A flower covered a gang sign on her neck, and a name on her back was covered by the words “I believe again,” according to the newspaper.

After establishing an independent 501c3 in August 2015, Survivor’s Ink expanded its mission and offerings, according to its website. In addition to providing cover-up tattoos, the organization conducts street outreach weekly, passing out hygiene bags, coats, clothing and blankets to victims of human trafficking. Survivor's Ink also provides follow-up care and advocacy to survivors, attempting to improve their long-term stability and success by connecting them with the resources they need.

Additionally, Kempton spoke at several educational venues, with many of them forming their own anti-trafficking coalitions in response to her testimony.

The family has started a crowdfunding campaign for funeral expenses.

Photo courtesy of The Columbus Dispatch