TikToker Sentenced to House Arrest in Modern Slavery Case
A Montreal woman who exploited a friend, forcing her into servitude and sexual exploitation, received a sentence of house arrest Thursday, a decision a judge called “lenient” but justified by her lesser role in the abuse. The case underscores the growing concern over modern slavery and the potential for exploitation facilitated through social media platforms.
Bryanna Abbruzzo, 23, pleaded guilty to charges of pimping and was sentenced to two years less a day of house arrest, along with three years of probation and 240 hours of community service. The Crown had sought a four-year prison sentence.
Judge Jean-Jacques Gagné explained the lighter sentence by stating Abbruzzo was “under the influence” of her mother, Sonia Abbruzzo, who was previously sentenced to eight years in prison for her central role in the crimes. Sonia Abbruzzo was convicted in January for what the court described as “outrageous,” “insidious,” and “vicious” acts against the victim, identified in reports as Vicky*.
The abuse began in 2022 after Vicky moved in with the Abbruzzo family in the LaSalle borough of Montreal. According to court documents, Vicky was stripped of her identity documents and her cell phone. She was forced to sleep in the garage or backyard, regardless of weather conditions, and was sometimes made to bathe outside with a garden hose. The victim, deprived of adequate food, resorted to scavenging for scraps in neighbors’ trash.
The court heard that Vicky lost 30 kilograms (approximately 66 pounds) in a matter of months due to starvation. She was also compelled to engage in prostitution.
“I gave a severe sentence to the mother, the architect and the leader of this horrible crime. But the degree of responsibility of her daughter Bryanna is quite different. That’s why I’m imposing this lenient, but proportionate, sentence,” Judge Gagné said Thursday at the Montreal courthouse, as reported by La Presse.
Bryanna Abbruzzo gained popularity on TikTok prior to the abuse, and initially befriended the victim through the social media platform. Her mother, Sonia Abbruzzo, received an eight-year prison sentence in January after pleading guilty to human trafficking.
The case highlights the dangers of online relationships and the potential for exploitation, particularly for vulnerable individuals.
