Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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...

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.

This is a phenomenal book which should wake up all of us. Theresa's story is unimaginable as a woman and even more so as a mother. Every mother should give this book to their daughter and to any young woman.

The circumstances which Theresa has endured through should make everyone realize that although we are in modern times and woman are more respected than any other time in history, this does not insulate them from evil predators.

My heart goes out to Theresa and thanks for sharing your story so that others can learn and try to prevent this from happening to others.

Wow. This story tells about a woman who was forced into sexual slavery in America for two years before able to escape her horrors. She is very open and gives some details about what she goes through and the tactics that were used on her that scared her as she feared for her family's life. She also tries to encourage parents, teachers, etc. to be willing to help and be a part of your child's life in case this is happening to them (because her parents had no idea). It was a very sad book but she now works to help stop human trafficking because she can connect to others who have been harmed through this slavery (and wants to help them since no one was helping her). My heart truly goes out to the strength she somehow gained through such abuse.

My only problem was that she didn't really explain how she was able to get over the sufferings overall. I have read 5 human trafficking based books so far and really want to know what the healing process may be like for someone coming out of such a hard time. She seems to be a spiritual person but doesn't share enough about how God was able to comfort her as she got away (she makes it seem like the bath was more comforting than God) while she did mention that God protected her from further hurt, I just wish there was more details (the book is relatively short).

I loved the story just as well. It is graphic so I really don't recommend it for kids or those who are ultra sensitive to where they can't sleep at night after reading or hearing horrific stories like this. It makes you more aware of your surroundings and wonder how much of this goes on in your own neighborhood so you can help them in some way!!! I could hardly put this book down (read it in a day and a half).

I think Theresa Flores is an amazing woman, she is very brave to write about the horrible things that happened to here. She is making an effort to educate people so this does not happen to anyone else. We should listen to her carefully and learn from her experience, this could happen anywhere, to anyone. I believe her words are true. I applaud you Theresa for your courage!!!! May God bless you always!

Sarah

easy reading and opens your eyes to what has happened and still happens in our country.

I took a self-defense workshop at the Asian Arts Center in Dayton, Ohio, and heard about Theresa Flores' story. She had recently taken the same self-defense workshop I took with a black belt instructor and author of a book about self defense called Immediate Direct Explosive. She apparently had a break-through experience at the workshop. So when I heard about her book, I was anxious to read her story. An intensely emotional recount of a teenager's worst nightmare. Theresa's story is proof that anyone can be a victum--upper class, middle class, lower class, right under their parents' proverbial noses. We need to teach our daughters to be self-confident, strong and have the ability to defend themselves. Thank you Theresa for sharing your story.

My sister lent me this book for a 2 hour flight. I was nervous about reading it because I hate reading about the abuse of women. But, I'm glad I read the book. While she does describe a few graphic situations, for the most part it is mostly you following her mental journey.

She's a strong woman and very brave for writing this. I had a hard time staying objective and not "judging" when a certain decision or path was made - but I will never understand the situation she was in. However, I can appreciate the emotions she describes and I promise I will never turn my head and ignore a situation. Her story reminded me it's okay to be that annoying stranger who double checks that everyone is okay - and I will never ignore violence, no matter how "harmless" it may seem.

And as a native Michigan citizen, it breaks my heart to know this happens where I live. Some strangers would have helped you. I know I would not have left you in that diner, love, no matter what.

Do the Michigan Police know that there is this book which is testimony about a Child Sex Slavery Ring operating out of their school system? Most likely this Slave ring is still operating out of the school using generation after generation of the family's boys to lure female children into bondage. The officer who tried to persuade Theresa to give testimony about the perpetrators seemed to suspect that she was a victim. He seemed to know that the family that she referred to were involved in forced Child Prostitution. Does anyone know if any of the Womens' Advocacy groups or the NCMEC (National Center for Missing & Exploited Children) have noted this case?

I am prepared to scrounge enough money to buy three copies of this book and send it to the proper Michigan police Department, MS. Magazine and NCMEC if this has not already been done.

I am not judging Theresa and I hate to sound critical. I am sorry Theresa: I know you suffered. I will send this story to the authorities, because human trafficking/child prostitution is extremely lucrative according to all the literature that is to be found about the subject. This is certainly still happening to little Michigan schoolgirls and this sadistic family is probably still in business.