https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/woman-survived-being-trafficked-now-she-s-helping-others-soap-n816986
Theresa Flores was only a freshman in high school when she was lured into older high school boy's house, drugged, raped, photographed, and then blackmailed for two years by other men using the photos. She was saved when police rescued her in a motel. After the horrors of being trafficked, she started her own non-profit, SOAP, or Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution. This company puts the National Human Trafficking Hotline on the back of soap bars that are distributed to hotels and motels across the country, in hopes that other victims will see the number and be able to call and get help. Flores is now recognized as "a woman of worth" by L'Oréal Paris, and has received the Courage medal from governor John Kasich.
This article was written Saturday morning by Kalhan Rosenblatt at NBC News. Before I read this article, I knew that horrible things like this happened, but I had no idea to what extent they were occurring. And I wasn't aware this organization existed; I'm so glad that it does. I hope SOAP can expand even further than it already has. This article simultaneously raises awareness of the human trafficking issue and informs people of the steps that are being taken to save victims of human trafficking. Now that I've read this article, I know that there's help available if I or someone close to me was ever in a situation similar to Flores'. This is an inspiring story of how a victim of something as awful as human trafficking has taken a stand and done something to help people who are in the same situation as she was.
Synthesis: The events of this article can be connected to the Seneca Falls Convention during the women's rights movement. Women like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott experienced hardship and discrimination at the hands of men, and they took a stand and started something bigger than themselves to help women in their situation.
People that traffic women especially are disgusting. I know it happens to any and everyone, but it's really horrifying to think that there are people that torture others just for their satisfactions, and this happened for 2 WHOLE YEARS! I'm so happy to see that A) she survived this, and B) turned it into something that can be helped, also that her stand has gone mainstream :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to see that this survivor is making a difference by voicing her story, while I am also horrified to fathom that people enjoy ruining lives in such a disgusting way.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with Mica. Human trafficking is a huge problem in our society. Hopefully people start to realize how bad this is and stop it.
ReplyDeleteI am always impressed and amazed by how powerful these survivors become after such traumatic events. They are determined to make sure that this disgusting cause ceases for the sake of other potential victims, which to me is one of the most brave and powerful things these women could do.
ReplyDeleteI find it amazing that this woman was able to turn a horrible event that lasted 2 years into a helpful campaign against human trafficking. Human trafficking is viewed as underrated when there needs to be more awareness for trafficking, rape, and sexual assault.
ReplyDeletethis is so cool how someone made something so awful into something that can truly make a difference
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