Survivor and Author Theresa Flores travels the U.S. sharing her story of trafficking and being a sex slave while living in an upper-middle class suburb of Detroit, Michigan. Flores was appointed to the Ohio Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Commission in 2009 and has testified before the Ohio House and Senate in supports of Human Trafficking Legislation. Her efforts were a major part of the success of these bills being passed into laws. Additionally, the “Theresa Flores Law” was passed in Michigan that eliminates the statute of limitation for children who have been trafficked.

Flores is a survivor of domestic child sex trafficking and was sold in an underground crime ring in an upper middle class suburb outside Detroit from the time she was 15-17 years old. She now works with other survivors and is the Assistant Investigator with Global Centurion researching the mental and physical health problems of over 200 domestic trafficking survivors. The study, entitled “The Health Consequences of Human Trafficking,” will provide better practices and systemic recommendations for healthcare providers.

Flores created the SOAP Project (Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution), a hands-on outreach to fight sex trafficking at large events and in communities. The SOAP Project was created to not only educate and save, but also to fill a need. After founder Flores would speak to a group of people at awareness events, she noticed the attendees were in shock, frustrated and even angry. They demanded to know what they could do to stop this crime and protect their children. The SOAP Project allows concerned citizens to help put a stop to human trafficking in their community and save missing children.

Flores has received many awards, including the University of Dayton’s Alumni Association 2013 Christian Service Award for her work with SOAP. In January 2012 at the State of the State Address, Flores received The Courage Award from Ohio Governor Kasich for her work in human trafficking.

Flores was featured by the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Museum in a traveling exhibit, entitled Invisible Slavery, and has published four books, “The Sacred Bath,” “The Slave Across the Street” (in the UK and US) and “Slavery in the Land of the Free - a Student’s Guide to Modern Day Slavery." The audio version of her memoir was nominated for The 2011 Audie Award, being in the top 5 of all memoirs and biographies and also has been on the Wall Street Journal and USA Today Best Seller list for e-books several times.

Flores was also featured in a short documentary, “The Girl Next Door,” which has won awards at film festivals all across the U.S. Her story has been seen on The Today Show, MSNBC: “Sex Slaves-The Teen Trade,” the 700 Club, CNN/HLN, Glenn Beck’s “For the Record” as well as many local and national radio shows.

Human Trafficking, Human Rights, Overcoming Adversity, Authors, Bestselling Author, Sexual Violence, Child Abuse, Social Justice, Inspirational, Activists, Children, Social Activism, Workshop, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault Awareness Month