Not here. Not in Maine.

Bill Legere said that's people's usual reaction to hearing that human trafficking goes on in this state, hundreds of miles from the nearest East Coast transportation and population hubs.

But it does, he said.

He's seen signs of suspected cases while on the job at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. A nurse practitioner in the emergency room, Legere said he's met women and girls showing signs that someone is coercing them to work in the sex trade.

Statistics come hard because until recently, Maine had no laws specifically targeting human trafficking, Legere said. But police, medical professionals and others who come to the aid of trauma victims have no doubts, he said.

Prostitution is rarely the choice people think it is, he said.

A typical situation starts with a girl running away from her home in a rural community to a city, where she is easily noticed by a predator, Legere said.

In many cases, the girl was sexually abused at home or witnessed domestic violence, he said.

The predator offers her a place to stay, gives her illegal drugs and then, she becomes hooked; she's told she has to work as a prostitute to get more drugs; or she's threatened with harm to her family, Legere said.

Not here. Not in Maine: It doesn't have to be just a refrain of disbelief, Legere said: it can also represent a stand against exploitation: Not here, because we won't tolerate it, he said.

LeGere co-founded the “Not Here Justice in Action Network.” The Auburn-based, nonprofit aims to fight human trafficking and gender inequality in and outside the U.S.

“Not Here” has representatives in law enforcement, education, social services, healthcare, business and religious organizations. Annual conferences have featured international and local experts.

The group's goals include a safe house for victims and a transitional living center that would offer housing and training in farming vocations.

A key strategy in the group's efforts to fight exploitation has been to form partnerships with other groups already making inroads.

“We didn't want to reinvent the wheel, but we felt there were gaps in the process we could help with,” Legere said.

“Not Here” is one of three causes selected to benefit from “Wings Over Wiscasset” August 6 at the Wiscasset Municipal Airport.

Gates open at 9 a.m. for the daylong, freedom-themed event featuring a concert, history and science presentations, fireworks and the Texas Flying Legends Museum Warbirds.

Donations to “Not Here Justice in Action Network” may be mailed to 25 Waylen Drive, Auburn, ME 04210.

For more on “Wings,” visit www.wingsoverwiscasset.org.

Susan Johns can be reached at 207-844-4633 or susanjohns@wiscassetnewspaper.com.