Trafficked

She steps into the room,
eyes dark with untold stories.
Her shadow follows behind her,
heavy, trembling.

Her words come slow,
like untangling a knot.
I’m here, she says.
And that's enough.

The circle holds her,
gentle hands outstretched,
no chains, no demands,
only space, wide enough
for all her scars.

They share their own stories,
offering sparks of hope
like scattered wildflowers.
She doesn’t reach out yet,
but watches how they glow.

For now, she listens.
Tomorrow, maybe,
maybe she will share her name.

---

This is about an 11 year old girl in my support group for victims of child sexual abuse. She was rescued from a sex trafficking ring in July 2024, and was brought to us in January. She had been taken from her home in Vietnam when she was only four, and sold as a sex slave. Her parents haven't been located, and likely will never be.  Her scars run very deep, deeper than any I've ever known. In support group we always say there are no degrees of sexual abuse, that we're all the same no matter our history...but this one is different. She's broken in ways none of us can imagine.

Please consider donating to Rapha International. I'm not affiliated with the organization in any way, but I believe in their mission, and I know the work they do makes a difference. Their website is here: https://rapha.org/