Secrecy is a form of comfort for many victims including Theresa. When victims of human trafficking are constantly neglected by society, they resume to keeping secrets as a way to avoid being neglected. Victims also keep secrets in fear they will be blamed for the things that have happened to them, and that the consequences of being blamed will be harsher. "So we endure alone. Medicated, and barely surviving each day. Secretly desiring a fulfilling life where our nightmares no longer affect every aspect of our lives. Healing begins when we put a voice to our pain and what happened. Too many women who have gone through various forms of trafficking tell me that they can't fathom telling what happened to them. They can't tell their story publicly. They can't …show more content…
Although Theresa encourages expressing feelings, she understands the strength that it takes for a victim, including herself, to share their story with strangers and even their own families. "Some will not understand why I chose not to tell my parents immediately about the rape. Date rape was not a common term in the early 80's. Girls weren't educated on this in physical education class like they are now. There were no posters that read, 'Just say no"' (Flores 141). Theresa chooses to keep her secrets because many Americans in her community were unaware of human trafficking. Although human trafficking is becoming a common term, in the 80’s it was a hidden fact to many Americans. Theresa shares a common question she is asked, "How prevalent is sex trafficking in the United States? I regularly get calls that a teenager has been found and needs help. As word gets out and people become educated to recognize the signs, we see how prevalent this crime is" (Flores 146). When victims choose to let their secrets out, word spreads and people become aware of how common sex trafficking is in the United