The National Human Trafficking Hotline says that “Human trafficking is a situation in which an individual is compelled to work or engage in commercial sex through the use of force, fraud or coercion.”
I decided to touch on this subject, after seeing a pimp being arrested not too long ago. His cadre of girls and a couple men, were all rather quite young, displaced, substance abusers, and desperately in need of help. Many of them didn’t speak English. Thankfully the law no longer punishes the victim along with the perp, at least not in all instances. Hopefully many of these kids will receive the help that they need.
I wrote the following poem based on interactions I have witnessed so many times when I worked with displaced youth in the UK. Unfortunately, it is the reality for many young boys and girls in our communities. I parodied a well-known children’s story, as I think that so many of the stories we heard as children were alluding to a very dark underbelly of society, and I just thought it would be worth exploring.
The Voice of the Wolf
Hey Red, I seeing you walking the woods,
Most of the time, I suspect you be up to no good
I can only imagine what you be hiding under that hood,
But I ain’t your judge or jury; I just think you’re misunderstood.
Hey Red, I noticed on your ribs you tatted your agony
And them scars on your thighs tell a very dark story.
In your heart you feel like just another statistic to the world
Let me silence the voice in your head; I know you’re misunderstood.
Hey Red, I knew it all happened at gran Mama’s
Since then, you built yourself those mental prison bars
Yes ma’am, all the boys in the yard knew where you stood.
No need to pretend with me girl; I know you just misunderstood.
Hey Red, I got something for when your pain pops
I promise you it tastes like candy coated rain drops
Deep inside there’s something calling you back to these woods.
It’s the voice of the wolf baby, I know you’re misunderstood.
© Nigel Byng 2023. All rights reserved.
Human trafficking is a very real and present danger. It happens in almost every community, and perpetrators do not discriminate based on gender, race, age, or nationality. They are called predators for a reason. They observe, they stalk, they hunt, and they are very good at what they do. Their methods are not limited to violence. They are con artists, versed in the arts of manipulation. They target people who are easy; the emotionally vulnerable, people who lack a social safety net and are experiencing economic difficulties, substance abusers, illegal immigrants who have a fear of law enforcement, people who cannot interact because of language barriers, and perhaps the most chilling fact… most victims are targeted by someone they know. Many victims have been romantic partners and family members or former spouses. Predators prey on their victims, and the easier the target, the higher the chances of success. In a twelve-month period of 2021, there were over 10,300 reported cases of human trafficking. I stress the key word, “reported.” There are many undocumented cases.
The plague of human trafficking is hidden in plain sight, and the hope is that I can do my part to raise awareness. While not all human trafficking is for the purpose of sex work, the trauma experienced by every single victim is undeniable.
If you would like to raise your own awareness of Human Trafficking, I have provided several links that would be invaluable. Please do visit them, become knowledgeable, and do your part to protect some of the most vulnerable members of your community. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911.
Helpful Links
National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Center (NHTTAC)
Helping You To Succeed 
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