Teen + College Exploitation Prevention Program
YOUTH AWARE is an evidence based exploitation prevention curriculum for teens and young adults informed by 25 years of research, experience working with youth, and survivor expertise. It is a unique curriculum offering three levels of engagement, taking students from learners to this generations leaders!
The Problem: Youth Sexual Exploitation
The sexual exploitation of children and teens is the fastest growing crime in the world. These crimes include: sextortion (using fraud, coercion or threats to obtain sexual photos or videos) and sex trafficking (to induce or force a person under age 18 into commercial sex acts). There are an estimated 11 million people under age 18 globally, including hundreds of thousands in the United States, at risk of sex trafficking every year (ILO 2016). Cases of human trafficking have been reported in all 50 US states and Washington D.C. (Polaris.org). In 2018, The National Center for missing and exploited Children (NCMEC) reported that 1 in 7 missing children, in the United States, are victims of sex trafficking.
NCMEC also found a 90% increase in online predator solicitation of minors for sexually explicit photos, videos, or luring them to meet in person since 2013. The internet has expanded the reach of predators and traffickers into all communities, from urban to rural, with predators reaching children and teens both online as well as in person.
NCMEC also found a 90% increase in online predator solicitation of minors for sexually explicit photos, videos, or luring them to meet in person since 2013. The internet has expanded the reach of predators and traffickers into all communities, from urban to rural, with predators reaching children and teens both online as well as in person.
The #1 pathway into both sextortion and sex trafficking is by building relationships.
Traffickers and online predators use grooming, or behavioral tactics, that identify and meet the youth's needs, build trust, fill the need, and create an emotional bond preparing the youth for secrecy, control, and exploitation. Traffickers and predators can begin as strangers, gang or occult members, peers, or family members, including biological parents.
Traffickers and online predators use grooming, or behavioral tactics, that identify and meet the youth's needs, build trust, fill the need, and create an emotional bond preparing the youth for secrecy, control, and exploitation. Traffickers and predators can begin as strangers, gang or occult members, peers, or family members, including biological parents.
Predators create the kind of relationships children and teens run to, not from
The Solution: Prevention Education
We will not end the sexual exploitation of youth by responding to it, we will end it by getting ahead of it in prevention!
To end sex trafficking and all forms of exploitation we need to invest in a model of prevention that educates, equips, AND empowers youth!
Our YOUTH AWARE program does just that!
To end sex trafficking and all forms of exploitation we need to invest in a model of prevention that educates, equips, AND empowers youth!
Our YOUTH AWARE program does just that!
Step 1 Educate: an engaging awareness presentation in classroom or assembly format defining exploitation from sexting to trafficking, the dangers of explicit photo sharing, identifying online and in-person relationship red flags, when and how to get help.
>> resources + helpline wallet card
Step 2 Equip: 30 minute break out sessions, for 4 weeks, for interested or recommended students to go deeper on presentation topics, ask questions, get answers, and build self confidence.
>> #unitedwewin reminder bands
Step 3 Empower: within 2 weeks, students design and lead their own awareness or prevention project! >> micro grant + mentors + t shirts
>> resources + helpline wallet card
Step 2 Equip: 30 minute break out sessions, for 4 weeks, for interested or recommended students to go deeper on presentation topics, ask questions, get answers, and build self confidence.
>> #unitedwewin reminder bands
Step 3 Empower: within 2 weeks, students design and lead their own awareness or prevention project! >> micro grant + mentors + t shirts
>>Your school, church, or organization also receives a staff and student resource packet
Get started!
Schedule YOUTH AWARE for a step 1 presentation or for all 3 steps of this dynamic TRUE prevention program
Increase your impact + Equip your staff and community!
add one or both of these A.C.T. United programs this year and help educate and equip your staff, parents, and community
Schedule YOUTH AWARE for a step 1 presentation or for all 3 steps of this dynamic TRUE prevention program
Increase your impact + Equip your staff and community!
add one or both of these A.C.T. United programs this year and help educate and equip your staff, parents, and community
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For Teachers + Staff + Leaders
A.C.T. United has dynamic speakers with relevant, current information for 2 hour or half day workshops. Learn about the issues, signs and indicators of a trafficked or exploited youth, keys to successful prevention education, best practices for disclosure, responding well, and understanding State law and legal process. Certification or CEU's have been awarded for teachers, paraprofessionals, and social workers. |
For Parents + Caring Adults
Help educate and equip parents and community allies by hosting a community forum, dialogue, or educational workshop. A.C.T. United has skilled and engaging speakers for all audiences on topics of online safety, sexting, sextortion, sex trafficking, understanding law and legal process, best practices for disclosure, and tips for having positive teen + parent communication on these important issues. |
Become a Sponsor Partner
If you would like to donate or sponsor a school or youth organization to receive this powerful prevention program, click below!
Please partner with us to NEVER let cost be a barrier to health and life saving information and programs for children and teens!
Please partner with us to NEVER let cost be a barrier to health and life saving information and programs for children and teens!
Testimonials
"I learned about ‘grooming’ into trafficking and that those people [predators / traffickers] really try to become someone or something that is missing in your life”
- Minneapolis High School Student
· “I learned how important self worth is in prevention. Wonderful, informative presentation!”
- High School Teacher
· “I had a student, in step 2 small group, who was able to intervene and protect her younger sister. Her sister had met an online “friend” who had convinced her to secretly meet him the next morning. Our student said she learned the signs of predator grooming and felt confident in what to do from our program. Our curriculum with small group conversations really does make the difference!”
- Saysha, YOUTH AWARE program facilitator
· “If your stuck, there’s people out there who can help you”
- North Minneapolis High School Student
· “Knowing the different warning signs of a bad relationship and of a trafficked person was the most helpful. Now I can better look out for myself and for others.”
- Southwest Christian High School Student
· “The Youth Aware Program was an awesome experience for our students at Patrick Henry. The initial presentation was engaging and extremely informative. The facilitators are so skilled at keeping the information relative, personal, and interesting. They co-facilitated a small group with me with students who were interested in learning more and then our culminating project was having a table during lunches to spread the word about how pervasive sex trafficking actually is. A must for all educators! Very important work for anyone who works with youth.”
- Kim Cook, School Counselor at Patrick Henry HS, North Minneapolis
- Minneapolis High School Student
· “I learned how important self worth is in prevention. Wonderful, informative presentation!”
- High School Teacher
· “I had a student, in step 2 small group, who was able to intervene and protect her younger sister. Her sister had met an online “friend” who had convinced her to secretly meet him the next morning. Our student said she learned the signs of predator grooming and felt confident in what to do from our program. Our curriculum with small group conversations really does make the difference!”
- Saysha, YOUTH AWARE program facilitator
· “If your stuck, there’s people out there who can help you”
- North Minneapolis High School Student
· “Knowing the different warning signs of a bad relationship and of a trafficked person was the most helpful. Now I can better look out for myself and for others.”
- Southwest Christian High School Student
· “The Youth Aware Program was an awesome experience for our students at Patrick Henry. The initial presentation was engaging and extremely informative. The facilitators are so skilled at keeping the information relative, personal, and interesting. They co-facilitated a small group with me with students who were interested in learning more and then our culminating project was having a table during lunches to spread the word about how pervasive sex trafficking actually is. A must for all educators! Very important work for anyone who works with youth.”
- Kim Cook, School Counselor at Patrick Henry HS, North Minneapolis
#unitedwewin