The Sacred Bath: An American Teen's Story of Modern Day Slavery. [Paperback]

Theresa Flores (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 22, 2007

• Do you believe human trafficking only occurs in Third World countries?
  
• Do you believe that slavery was abolished in the United States hundreds of years ago?

Author Theresa Flores shares her story of trafficking and slavery while living in an upper-middle class suburb of Detroit Michigan. At fifteen years of age, she was drugged, raped and tortured for two long years. Kept in bondage, forced to pay back an impossible debt. All the while living at home, attempting to keep family safe and attending school during the day along side of her abusers. Only to be called into ‘service’, late each night, while her unknowing family slept. Involuntarily involved in a large underground criminal ring, Ms. Flores endured more as a child than most adults will ever face their entire lives.

In The Sacred Bath, Ms. Flores discusses how she healed the wounds of sexual servitude and offers advice to parents and professionals on preventing this from occurring. She also educates and gives facts on human trafficking in modern day American.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ms. Flores has been a Licensed Social Worker for nearly twenty years. She holds a Master’s of Science in Counseling Education and is a Human Development Specialist. Ms. Flores writes a regular magazine article entitled Spiritual Parenting, facilitates a monthly kid’s group and is the mother of three children. She lectures nationally on parenting, multi-cultural issues and human trafficking.
Ms. Flores’ mission is to educate others on the horrors of trafficking and fight against this huge injustice of innocent people. She hopes that by revealing her story, it will give victims of all types of abuse hope and assist in their healing process.

Product Details

• Paperback: 147 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (March 22, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595437184
• ISBN-13: 978-0595437184
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,025,422 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Theresa Flores LSW, MSeD is a Human Trafficking Survivor, Victims Advocate and the Director of Education & Training for Gracehaven House

She was appointed to the Ohio Attorney General's Commission on the Study of Human Trafficking in 2009 and her efforts were a major part of the success of SB235 being passed into law by Governor Strickland on Dec. 23rd, 2010.
She is a much sought after international speaker and lectures on many aspects of Human Trafficking from both a personal perspective as well as a professional expert. Ms. Flores is featured by the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and her story has been seen on "The Today Show", MSNBC: "Sex Slaves, The Teen Trade" and on Discovery Channel's "Kidnap and Rescue". The audio version of her latest book has also been recently nominated for The 2011 Audie Award, being in the top 5 of all memoirs and biographies.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for all young women, April 18, 2007

By 

Brandy (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sacred Bath: An American Teen's Story of Modern Day Slavery. (Paperback)

This is an outstanding true story of a young high school student that was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Every mother should sould read this book with her high school daughter. Grafic at times but it is a story that should be a warning to all. After serviving such a tragity Theresa turns to her life to help others. A remarkable story.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Testament To All Survivors, November 7, 2007

By 

June "June" (Boston, MA.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sacred Bath: An American Teen's Story of Modern Day Slavery. (Paperback)

Ms. Flores' book is indeed more than an exceptionally well written and insightful memoir; it is a testament of hope for all survivors. Written with insight, clarity, and most of all empathy, Ms. Flores has managed to do what others before her have only attempted to convey: That there is a spirit of hope that the survivor brings to those situations that appear seemingly hopeless. "I became strong and found the spirit within myself through my dark journey. I became the woman I am today due to all of my experiences. Both negative and positive."

Far too often survivor's accounts of their struggles leave the reader wondering whether recovery and hope are truly viable options. Ms. Flores has not only manages to eloquently address that dilemma in her book, but also serves as a genuine messenger and true role model through her words. She takes the reader on a journey that cannot help but inspire those who have experienced suffering and adversity. In speaking to the human spirit, Ms. Flores engages her readers in such a way as to provide those who are in the midst of their own dark struggles with a sense of compassion and hope.

For every survivor, mental health professional, educator, or anyone who has ever asked themselves how there is a means whereby recovery and hope are possible,Ms. Flores book should be mandatory reading. She has not just written a testament about strength and hope; she is that testament...

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A horrific tale of abuse; A valuable cautionary tale; needs an editor, April 3, 2008

By 

Lydian Devere Yard "rapunzel" (South Grafton, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Sacred Bath: An American Teen's Story of Modern Day Slavery. (Paperback)

I read this book in one night and was extremely disturbed by the author's account of her rape, blackmail and the forced prostitution and torture she endured for two years. It is indeed difficult to believe that this all went on under the nose of her family, school officials and the police, but truth is often stranger than fiction.

I don't blame some reviewers for being skeptical, especially considering the recent crop of autobiographies that have been proven to be fictional, but we have no reason to believe the author invented this story.

I have also noticed some reviewers commenting on how easy it would have been for her to escape her tormentors, and indeed it may seem that way to an outsider. I have no doubt that Ms. Flores thinks of various ways she might have been able to save herself before she got in too deep. Hindsight is 20/20, after all. Keep in mind, however, that she was only fifteen at the time, and it seems to me that she was very innocent and sheltered. Fear can paralyze you, and if you're not educated in how to prevent something like this from happening to you, you may not be able to see a way out.

This is a lesson in being aware. Be aware of your rights, and the ways and means available to you to protect yourself. NEVER let anyone, for ANY reason blackmail you. They threaten to expose something about you? Let them. In fact, tell your secret yourself. They lose their power that way. If you are raped, go to someone and report it. It may be hard, but do it. The author felt she couldn't go to her parents, so it's understandable why she did not.

I only wish she had confided in the police officer. Her trust in people was shattered, but it's possible he could have provided protection for her family and busted the men who did this to her. That may have prevented the new girl at the end from getting involved. I'm sure she wishes the same thing too, so please don't think I'm trying to blame her. You do the best you can with what you have, and she did not have the confidence to go through with that. What she did do, was survive. She survived to tell her story.

My biggest problem with the book was the many, many spelling errors peppered throughout its pages. This book needed an editor, and I think the writing was a bit inconsistent.

I have a beautiful three-year old daughter, and I want to raise her to have the confidence to stand up for herself, and become a strong, self-reliant woman. I also want her to feel she can come to her father and I with anything, and we will help her through her troubles. We would move heaven and earth to protect her.