Our History: How The SOAP Project Began
SOAP stands for Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution. Founded by advocate, author, and survivor Theresa Flores, The SOAP Project is a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing human trafficking through awareness, education, and community outreach.
On one of the worst nights of her trafficking experience, after being auctioned off to nearly two dozen men in a dirty inner-city Detroit motel, Theresa later recalled the one item that could have quietly connected her to help—a simple bar of soap. That realization became the inspiration behind The SOAP Project, which was created to help reach victims of human trafficking and provide a lifeline to hope.
The Problem
Human trafficking is one of the fastest-growing criminal enterprises in the world, including here in the United States. It affects children, teens, and adults from every community, regardless of age, race, gender, or socioeconomic background.
Children who run away or remain missing are especially vulnerable to exploitation. While many people still use the term prostitution, any minor under the age of 18 involved in commercial sex is legally recognized as a victim of human trafficking. Adults who are controlled through force, fraud, or coercion are also victims of human trafficking.
Hotels and motels are among the locations where traffickers frequently exploit victims, making hospitality employees and community awareness essential in identifying and reporting suspected trafficking. Large sporting events, conventions, festivals, and other gatherings can also create increased demand for commercial sex, making prevention and education efforts even more important.
Human trafficking often goes unnoticed, which is why education and community awareness are critical. By recognizing the warning signs and knowing how to respond, individuals and businesses can play an important role in preventing exploitation and connecting victims with support.
Today, The SOAP Project continues Theresa's vision through education, hotel outreach, survivor support, and partnerships with communities across the country. Learn more about our mission and how we're working to prevent human trafficking.
Help Us Prevent Human Trafficking
The SOAP Project began with one survivor's realization that a simple bar of soap could become a lifeline for someone trapped in human trafficking. Today, your support helps continue that mission.
As a nonprofit organization, The SOAP Project relies on the generosity of individuals, churches, businesses, foundations, and community partners.
Your donation helps educate communities, train volunteers, conduct hotel outreaches, distribute bars of soap and makeup remover wipes with the National Human Trafficking Hotline, and provide restorative services for survivors.
Every gift helps educate communities, prevent human trafficking, and bring hope to victims and survivors across the country.
The SOAP Project is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.