Human Trafficking Survivor to Speak at The College of Wooster

Theresa Flores to discuss her ordeal and triumph on Thursday, Nov. 15 in Mateer Hall

WOOSTER, Ohio — Theresa Flores, a human trafficking survivor and an author as well as the founder of Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution (S.O.A.P.) and Director of Education and Training for Gracehaven House in Columbus, will give a talk at The College of Wooster on Thursday, Nov. 15. The event, which is free and open to the public, begins at 7 p.m. in Room 015 of Mateer Hall (931 College Mall).

A licensed social worker, Flores travels the country sharing her story of trafficking and slavery while living in an upper-middle class suburb of Detroit. At the age of 15, she was drugged, raped, and tortured for two years, kept in bondage while living at home and trying to keep her family safe. She attended school during the day along side of her abusers, only to be called into “service” late in the night as an involuntary participant in a large criminal ring.

After escaping her ordeal and sharing her story, Flores was appointed to the Ohio Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Commission in 2009 and has testified before the Ohio House and Senate in support of human trafficking legislation. Her efforts helped lead to the passage of SB235 in 2010.

Flores’ address is sponsored by the Department of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies and the Wooster League of Women Voters. Additional information is available by phone (330-263-2575) or e-mail.