A chilling case unfolded in a Montreal courtroom this week, revealing a six-month ordeal of exploitation and control. A mother and daughter, Sonia and Bryanna Abbruzzo, stood before the court after pleading guilty to human trafficking and procuring a person, crimes that the Crown argued demanded significant punishment.
The details painted a harrowing picture of manipulation and abuse. The victim, initially friends with Bryanna Abbruzzo, found her life irrevocably altered after a seemingly innocuous act – eating a dessert. This small event marked the beginning of a descent into a world of forced prostitution and utter dependence.
The prosecutor described a profound “disrespect for human dignity,” rarely encountered in such stark terms. Evidence presented to the court included a disturbing video showing Sonia and Bryanna Abbruzzo openly mocking the victim, forcing her to endure humiliation even while exposed to the elements in October, after she was forced to relieve herself due to their control.
Sonia Abbruzzo, facing a potential 14-year sentence, admitted to deriving pleasure from the victim’s suffering. This chilling confession underscored the calculated nature of the abuse, a modern form of slavery where every aspect of the victim’s life was meticulously controlled – from advertising and services offered to pricing and scheduling.
The financial control was absolute. The victim was deliberately stripped of her job, and none of the money earned through forced prostitution ever reached her. Instead, it flowed directly to her abusers, further cementing their power over her.
The trauma inflicted extends far beyond the period of exploitation. The victim now battles post-traumatic stress disorder, crippling panic attacks, and a profound sense of disconnection from her own body. Hospitalization in a psychiatric ward became necessary as she struggled to rebuild her life.
Even seemingly small acts of cruelty left deep scars. Sonia Abbruzzo destroyed the victim’s last photograph of her grandfather, a devastating loss that amplified her feelings of isolation and grief. The fear of losing any financial resources remains, preventing her from even obtaining a credit card.
The court also learned of Sonia Abbruzzo’s behavior while detained, where she allegedly engaged in a “reign of terror,” intimidating fellow inmates and extorting money from their families. This pattern of dominance and control extended even within the confines of the correctional system.
The Crown recommended a 10-year prison sentence for Sonia Abbruzzo and five years for Bryanna, arguing for a punishment that reflects the severity of their crimes. Sonia Abbruzzo’s lawyer countered with a plea for a five-year term, while Bryanna’s lawyer is expected to argue for a community sentence.
Judge Jean-Jacques Gagné will deliver his sentencing decision in mid-January, a moment that will determine the consequences for the Abbruzzos and, perhaps, offer a measure of justice to a victim whose life was irrevocably shattered.
