Cincinnati, OH (June 19, 2015) – The Salvation Army, in collaboration with End Slavery Cincinnati, announced today that it is partnering with the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center to bring Theresa Flores to Cincinnati. Flores, a well-known sex trafficking survivor and author of The Slave Across the Street, will be featured during a June 27th presentation about human trafficking. The event, which is open to the public, will take place at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (50 E. Freedom Way Cincinnati, OH 45202) starting at 10:00 am. Following a one-hour presentation, Flores will provide training for those interested in participating in a local S.O.A.P. (Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution) initiative.
“We’re very excited to welcome Theresa to Cincinnati,” stated Erin Meyer, Human Trafficking Program Manager at The Salvation Army. “Her courage and leadership in support of trafficking survivors is an inspiration, and the S.O.A.P. initiative is a tangible way for the community to get involved in reducing sex trafficking in our local community.”
S.O.A.P. is an outreach effort to address sex trafficking. The program distributes soap bars within hotels and motels. These soap bars are wrapped with a red band that includes the contact information for the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (888-373-7888). The information on the soap bars provides an opportunity to reach those being trafficked at a rare moment of isolation from those who control them. Following the presentation and training, S.O.A.P. bars will be distributed at locations identified by local anti-trafficking leaders. Volunteers are sought to attend the training and participate in the distribution of the S.O.A.P. bars locally.
The public is welcome and encouraged to participate in the June 27th event, whether to hear Theresa’s story first-hand and broaden their awareness of the realities of human trafficking, and/or to receive training and participate as a volunteer in the S.O.A.P. initiatives that will be implemented locally on June 27th and other dates in early July.
“The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is proud to partner with End Slavery Cincinnati and The Salvation Army on this initiative. The continued cooperation of these organizations, spreading awareness and educating the community on how to recognize the warning signs of human trafficking, can potentially save lives and help prevent the victimization of vulnerable people during large attendance events,” said Brooke Hathaway, Manager of Anti-Trafficking Programs at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
For more information about the June 27th events and local human trafficking efforts, please visit http://www.endslaverycincinnati.org/events/summer-awareness2015, or call 513-762-5690. To RSVP for the free presentation by Theresa Flores, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/preview?eid=17327542145. Those interested in volunteering for the S.O.A.P. initiative are asked to complete a sign-up form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ddRwTJxpstGhZGAMCoskyT1tyX4lpLuKNVVlhSJrQjE/viewform?usp=send_form.
In Greater Cincinnati, The Salvation Army launched an Anti-Human Trafficking program in 2012. Since its inception, the program has provided services and material assistance to hundreds of individuals. Forms of assistance include housing, clothing, personal care kits, meals and food vouchers, bus passes and medical care. Those in need of assistance or wanting to report a possible incidence of human trafficking can call 513-800-1863. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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