From Horror to Healing

Review of The Slave Across the Street

- Nila Rhoades

Premise: This book’s theme is incredibly pertinent to what’s going on in the world. Slavery, human trafficking, sex trafficking, and kidnapping are all tied up in the events that occurred in the suburbs of America under the nose of an affluent community where “nothing bad ever happens.” This true story is one of heartache and tragedy turned into recovery and healing from a typical American girl who endured more than any human ever should, all while living at home with parents and a sibling. After managing to survive and escape, she found healing, sanctuary, and comfort in teaching others of the dangers and warning signs of sex trafficking and slavery.

411: This story follows Theresa L. Flores, a teenager who was blackmailed and forced into the world of human sex slavery/trafficking. Theresa articulately recounts how this began after she met a boy her age named David. David and his cousins started with small instances of abuse and threats. Succumbing to rape, she hid the horrific event from her parents and was blackmailed by David to have sex with his cousins in return for the illicit photographs that were taken of her rape.