Tina Frundt Gets a Human Rights Award Nom
By Halogen TV | June 14, 2011 at 9:43 am
Photo from Free the Slaves
Named after her older daughter, Courtney’s House is a shelter to help young survivors of domestic sex trafficking. And Frundt’s own harrowing story as a sex slave survivor was featured on Halogen’s docu-series, “Tainted Love.” A force in the anti-sex trafficking movement, she is also the 2010 Frederick Douglass Freedom Award winner.
“When I started this mission, I never thought I would get nominated for any award, much less win an award,” Frundt said. “But it’s an honor to be recognized and bring awareness to this humungous issue.”
Sponsored by Global Exchange, the 9th Annual Human Rights People’s Choice honoree will receive $1,000 and will be recognized at the Human Rights Gala on June 1.
Frundt’s journey from slave to freedom to redemption began at 14-years-old when she fell victim to the sex trafficking industry. Lured away by an older man who “understood her better than her parents,” she soon found herself miles away from her family. Not before long, Frundt was gang-raped, schooled in the trade, and forced on the streets to work.
Unfortunately, Frundt escaped sex imprisonment by going to jail. Federal law states that a child under 18 years old involved in sex trafficking is a victim. However, on a local level, minors are charged with prostitution. Therefore, Frundt was sentenced to a year in a detention center before she was reunited with her family.
Since then, she has turned surviving into a mission to help other young victims. With Courtney’s House, Frundt and her team brave the streets in hopes of saving teens from a life of slavery. Based in Washington, D.C., Courtney’s House operates as a drop-in center, where survivors receive tutoring, mentoring and so much more. In addition, it runs a 24-hour hotline and street outreach programs.
“My team goes on weekends, targeting areas where girls, boys and women are trafficked,” Frundt said. It’s 24 hours for this freedom fighter, mentioning that it’s also a family affair for her two daughters. “They come to events, gather materials, and assist with our outreach programs. This our life.”
Frundt is now set to open Shae’s Place, a group home for D.C.-area girls who are survivors of sex trafficking. For Frundt, the mission to help end modern-day slavery will never stop until all are free.
Vote for Tina Frundt to be this year’s Human Rights People’s Choice Award winner and watch “Tainted Love” Tuesdays at 10:30pm ET.
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