Slavery in the Land of the Free

Theresa Flores LSW, MS

As I hang from the beam of a dim, musty, cold basement, I think of as many descriptive words as possible for the body parts I loathe the most. I endured 14 hands, 70 fingers. All the while my hands are tied. They are numb from being laced above my head and are exhausted from supporting the rest of my body. I am naked, beaten, bleeding and alone.

Sunshine creeps in thru the window shades and amplifies my new wounds. The word Whore written across my lower abdomen, seven sets of initials engraved in the skin covering my hips, a cigarette burn on my shoulder and lashes from a whip on my back

I am coming down from a large dose of cocaine and I hope that at least one pair of hands returns to feed me some more. I close my eyes because the drips of sun hurt and I begin thinking of names of presidents and countries. I hang from the beam of a dim, musty, cold basement. I am naked, beaten, bleeding and alone.

Dusk approaches with footsteps. I count 14 feet, 70 toes, returning for another round. I inhale. I exhale. I brace myself. I close my eyes, ask silently for death and hope they have enough blow to get me through the night.

I am 12 years old.

Chelsea’s poem.

“[W]hen I turned 13 I’d had enough of the abuse in my home and I ran away. I didn’t know where to go so I went to the center of town and stood by [the] town hall. A man saw me hanging around there and he said that he looking for a ‘protégé.’ I didn’t know what it was but it sounded fine to me. He said that I could stay at his house . When we got to his house he pulled out a bottle of gin and had me drink. The next thing I remember is waking up all sick and wet and hurt.

The next day he took me out on the street and told me what I had to do. He threatened me with a gun and hit me when I said I didn’t want to do it. And that’s how I got into this life and couldn’t get out.

Over the next year he hit me, punched me, kicked me, beat me, slashed me with a razor. I had forced unprotected sex with customers, got pregnant twice and had two abortions. I have so many injuries and so many illnesses. I have hepatitis C, and STDs, stomach problems and back pain and a lot of psychological issues. I overdosed on drugs

Being Controlled• Patient accompanied by

another individual who may monitor them, speak for them or insist on being present at all times during visit

• Accompanying person has possession of patients documents and/or money

• Other person fills out paperwork without consulting patient

• Other person claims to be related but doenst not know critical details about their medical history

• Other person exhibits physically aggressive or controlling behavior to patient

• Patient lives at work• Patient lacks a fixed

address

Category % of respondents reporting at least one symptom

Any Physical Health Problem 99.1% (N=106)

Neurological 91.7% (N=106)

General Health 86.0% (N=105)

Injuries 69.2% (N=102)

Cardiovascular/Respiratory 68.5% (N=106)

Gastrointestinal 62.0% (N=106)

Dental 54.3% (N=105)

Physical Health Problems

Physical indicators

• Delayed care• Bruising or burns in

various stages of healing• Physical or sexual abuse• Sexual or Communicable

diseases• Malnourishment• Substance abuse

• Unprotected exposure to toxic chemicals

• Workplace injuries• Poor hygiene• Significant dental issues• Respiratory issues

Common Forms of Violence/Abuse % Reporting (N=103)

Some form of violence/abuse 95.1%

Forced sex 81.6%

Punched 73.8%

Beaten 68.9%

Kicked 68.0%

Forced unprotected sex 68.0%

Threatened with weapon 66.0%

Strangled 54.4%

Abused by person of authority 50.5%

Violence in Trafficking

Substance abuse in trafficking Substance % Reporting Usage (N=102)

Substance Abuse 84.3%

Alcohol 59.8%

Marijuana 53.4%

Cocaine 50.5%

Crack Cocaine 44.7%

Heroin 22.3%

Ecstasy 13.6%

PCP 9.7%

Reproductive healthCommon Reproductive/Gynecological Issues % Reporting

Pregnancy 71.2% (N=66)

STD/STI 67.3% (N=104)

Abortion 55.2% (N=67)

Miscarriage 54.7% (N=64)

Pain During Sex 46.2% (N=104)

Urinary Tract Infection 43.8% (N=105)

Vaginal Discharge 33.3% (N=105)

Behavioral indicators

• Leaving against medical advice or refusing care

• Scripted confusing or inconsistent stories

• Hesitant or unwilling to answer questions about injury or illness

• Protects the person who hurt them or minimizes abuse

• Overly fearful or nervous

• Lack of eye contact• Hostile behavior• Inability to focus or

concentrate• Sleeping• Unaware of location,

date/time• PTSD• Depression or anxiety• Defers answers to another

person

Victim contact with health provider

Treatment Source % Reporting (N=98)

Any contact with healthcare 87.8%

Any type of clinic 57.1%

Hospital/ER 63.3%

Planned Parenthood 29.6%

Regular doctor 22.5%

Urgent care clinic 21.4%

Women’s health clinic 19.4%

Neighborhood clinic 19.4%

On-site doctor 5.1%

Other 13.3%

Signs

Just Fun Or a Crime?Her Choice Or a Victim?

The Reality of Trafficking

Why didn’t I run/tell?

How old is she?

Indianapolis

For sale

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