Walk a Mile

A Mothers Journey into Her Daughter's Secret Life

De: Lynda Harlos

Narrado por: Lynda Harlos

She has dealt with her fair share of issues, having raised four children. Drug addiction, school suspensions, suicide scares, childhood disease, and her oldest daughter being gang raped, which led to a teen pregnancy. Finally, they were all young adults, and it seemed as if the worst was behind them until the oldest daughter came home one day and told them something that made their world stop. For months, it was like someone had pushed the slow-motion button on the remote of their lives as they tried to comprehend what their daughter must have gone through without them knowing anything.

Following in her daughter's footsteps, she discovered it is possible to turn pain into purpose by allowing others to walk a mile with her.

©2023 Lynda Harlos (P)2025 Lynda Harlos

Powerful narrative; educational and relatable

"Walk A Mile" by Linda Harlos is a deeply moving narrative that follows the journey she walked through with her daughter through the harsh realities of domestic sex trafficking.
What struck me most was Lynda’s candidness about the "knowing in her gut” that we all sometimes wish to ignore. As a mom myself, I found this particularly impactful, as it resonated with the universal experience of wanting to protect our children while also respecting their independence.
Harlos depicts the insidious nature of grooming, allowing us to witness how such manipulation unfolds in real-time. Even though I'm somewhat familiar with the topic of sex trafficking, experiencing it through Lynda's eyes added an emotional depth that mere statistics and facts simply cannot provide. As a sexual trauma survivor myself, hearing the story through her daughter Kate’s eyes resonated with me on a deeper level. Lynda does an exceptional job with honoring both points of view.
I wholeheartedly recommend "Walk A Mile" to any parent or caregiver. This book does more than just inform; it immerses you in a story. It’s a powerful narrative that has left a lasting impact on me, and I believe it will resonate with anyone who reads it.
In summary, "Walk A Mile" is a must-listen, and I give it five well-deserved stars. Prepare to be moved and enlightened!

An important perspective on domestic trafficking

Overall, a good read discussing one family's experience with domestic trafficking. Detailed and introspective. The in-depth narrative that described the trafficker's actions, involvement, and techniques are great information for parents, siblings, and friends to know. Although individual approaches undoubtedly vary from predator to predator the book covered his activity in great detail. I did not find the book affecting me as emotionally as some other books, I thought it took a 'low-threat' approach with the storytelling, but this is just my experience. I'm sure others will have a different viewpoint. Glad I was able to have the chance to hear and understand (as much as an outsider can) this perspective.

Wonderful read! Genuine, heartfelt book

I learned that sex trafficking often happens with someone you know, are close to, possibly dating. It isn’t always being kidnapped and force into prostitution like we’ve always been taught it was. There’s a process of grooming, much like with child predators. There’s manipulation, coercion and gaslighting. And it happens within our own communities.

What moved me the most while listening was the author talking about parents being the safe space for their children to go; being the place where they can turn to, no matter what, and feel loved, safe and not judged. As a parent myself, it made me think, “Am I listening to my kids?” “Do they truly know they can tell me anything?”

I would recommend this book for its wonderful storytelling and education. You can picture this author and her daughter and their family throughout every chapter and feel for them. You learn about the process that goes into the abuse and trafficking by perpetrators. Mostly, the raw emotions felt by this mother, who wishes she could go back in time and do things differently, will resonate with any parent who’s trying to support their child’s independence while still trying to protecting them.

An Essential Guide for Awareness and Hope

Lynda Harlos’ journey is an inspiring testament to the resilience and love of a parent facing unimaginable adversity. In her book, she recounts the heart-wrenching experience of discovering her daughter was a victim of trafficking, weaving a narrative filled with courage, faith, and insight. From the initial signs to her unyielding efforts to understand and combat the situation, Lynda provides a roadmap of wisdom for navigating such tragedies.

This book is far more than a compelling story—it serves as a vital teaching tool for parents, educators, and anyone seeking to identify and prevent trafficking within their communities. By exploring the subtleties of how such horrors infiltrate even loving homes, Harlos equips readers with the knowledge to recognize warning signs, challenge misconceptions, and take proactive steps to safeguard our youth.

Whether you’ve experienced similar challenges or simply wish to better understand this societal threat, this work offers invaluable lessons. It’s a call to action for all of us to be vigilant and compassionate. Lynda’s bravery in sharing her story has the potential to not only raise awareness but also save lives. This book is a must-read and should be shared widely to ensure its impact reaches as many people as possible.

A Warning and a Call to Action

"Walk the Line" by Lynda Harlos is a heart -breaking, powerful and eye-opening exploration of human trafficking, abuse, and exploitation that challenges common misconceptions about who can become victims. The book provides an intimate look at how her daughter’s trafficking was discovered, specifically how she responded, and what made it safe to walk beyond discovery of complex trauma and abuse through trafficking… to begin healing.

It is so important to note that the many behaviors that indicate trafficking were carefully trauma-concealed by her daughter. As a survivor myself, and neurodevelopment consultant, I was especially touched as Lynda shared her moment by moment challenges and struggles of what trauma-responsiveness looks and sounds like - internally and externally. As each layer of the devastating truth of experience came into the light, Lynda processed each level with emotional elements that created safety - which made it possible for the next discovery to be addressed. This book is a roadmap for walking alongside those that have become the scapegoat for our culture’s perversion.

"Walk the Line" serves as both a warning and a call to action, urging readers to overcome discomfort with the topic and engage actively, both in responding in efforts to combat trafficking and abuse in their own communities, and in creating the safety needed at home and with those in our own sphere of influence that many will FIND THEIR WAY BACK TO THE LIGHT, and create a life with meaning and purpose.

A Different Perspective on Trafficking

Such a difficult topic from a deeply personal perspective. So many people see human trafficking through one lens - the person is trafficked throughout the country and by a stranger. That does happen, but it isn't the only typology. This book walks you through how it can happen in your own home. It's hard hitting and will raise your antennae to warning signs you may initially brush off. An educational book that walks through one family's personal survival. Take the time to listen. What you learn can potentially save a life.

Beautifully real

Part memoir, part true crime, primarily this is a story about human trafficking grounded in the humanity. With so many trafficking narratives being dominated by savior complexes, Harlos instead offers a story that’s deeply real. Listeners of faith will enjoy the spiritual journey but these themes are not so heavy that secular-minded like myself will likely find them off-putting. A tender balance of heart, humor, and wisdom.

Domestic Sex Trafficking

I’ve both worked and volunteered in the world of combating sex trafficking for a long time. While the information in this novel isn’t new to me, it will be to many people and I commend that. It really can be anyone, in any corner of the world, that ends up in a vulnerable position. And it’s hard helping people see what’s happening when they’re stuck in the middle of it.

Harder still, for those people to see that outsiders of the situation can be trusted. Trust is hard won and easily broken and this book goes over that. An item I don’t hear spoken about often is also the concept of a secondary victims and how these situations affect those around the trafficked individual. How those feelings are valid as well.

As is mentioned in the book, many victims don’t have family they can rely on or trust. That’s one potential vulnerability that can lead someone into a dangerous situation like this. The reoccurring concern and support of the family in this recount is a hopeful light in the overall storm. And hopefully will help others see the signs and understand how to be supportive where they can as well.

The topic won’t go away, even if public interest comes and goes with it. Hopefully a book like this can help readers and listeners consider situations they might find themselves in one day. As parent or child, or outsider looking in, hoping to help. I recommend this book for anyone with children, with family, with air in their lungs. It could happen to anyone.

As a Survivor I can confirm the situational accuracy of this story & the message that’s being delivered.

I could only wish I had a mother who cared as much as Lynda did for her daughter, there is always a tough lesson on the other side of ignorance, but I do believe the purpose behind Lynda being up front and center to her daughters abuser, was to provide the necessary hindsight needed for her to deliver such accurate and effective advice on navigating the intuitive uncertainties that come when life throws us curve balls. But she portrayed these intuitions and connected it to the story line so free flowing and easy to follow that it all seems divinely guided.

If only I had a safe place or person to go to sooner I might’ve been comfortable leaving that life sooner, but I too had gotten caught up in the false consent, that I eventually convinced myself I liked being in that life and because I chose it I wasn’t allowed to ask for help.

Consent & safety are huge influences in someone being vulnerable to sex trafficking. These two things are also huge influences to a person feeling as if getting out is an option. Even if you aren’t a parent, this information can be pivotal for advocates, service providers, & anti-trafficking organizations who provide direct clients services to implement into the systems & communities they operate. My safe person & my safe place was my very first advocate & UnboundNow Houston. They allowed me the space and freedom to finally choose freedom.