A girl in the store held up her hand, palm outward, fingers wide. A small gesture with a big impact 
.
In the midst of the typical bustle of everyday life, the supermarket was still, almost serene. I was there as a police officer on leave to run a couple of easy errands: a baguette and a carton of milk. Not much more.
I appeared to be just another exhausted thirtysomething slinking between the aisles after work, with my badge concealed beneath a regular jacket.
But as I noticed a movement close to the checkout, things changed. A young girl, perhaps nine or ten years old, was standing beside a large, scruffy-bearded man who was clutching her wrist hard.
I initially thought it was a frustrated father and child, but the girl’s stance raised my suspicions. She seems frightened.
Then she held out a hand. Spread your five fingers palm outward. A small gesture, yet incredibly significant.
At a human trafficking class, I learnt that victims may utilize this signal—a quiet appeal for assistance—when speaking proved too risky. The thumb is nestled in the open palm, and the fingers close to catch it. This was a subtle request for assistance that she was sending me.
My heart pounded, and I realized right away that this was no typical circumstance. Terrified, she fixed her gaze on mine. Don’t let this man take me, please.
The language in the first comment explains what I did to avoid coming off as someone who understood the situation and would assist this girl.
I was unable to step in right away. The man was still holding the young girl’s wrist tightly as he looked distractedly at the shelves next to the checkout. It wasn’t an act of defense. It was a show of domination, complete control. I knew I had to act since the girl was shaking.
I took my phone out from under my jacket and texted 911, saying, “Potential kidnapping.” supermarket. male suspect. I’m present.
Something changed as we looked at each other again. I knew, and he knew. His eyes held a warning, a silent challenge. I realized then that things were going to get out of hand.
Then, resolved to halt the kidnapping, I took action. With a composed yet forceful tone, I said to the man, “Sir, I need to talk to you for a moment.” With a flicker of mistrust in his eyes, he froze. There was no turning back now.
Little Emily’s bravery was crucial in preventing the kidnapping when the situation arose. She took sanctuary with another client when she was able to flee while I was watching over her. After I brought the subject under control, backup arrived, and he was promptly taken into custody.
For Emily, everything changed on that day. as well as for me. It required guts, diligence, and training in addition to good fortune and serendipitous events. Without saying a word, Emily had found her voice, and I had heard her call.
