Sex Trafficking Resource Guide for Youth Leaders

Educate, Empower, and Equip…
to keep America’s Children Out of Sex Trafficking
This resource guide purposes to
educate, equip, and empower youth leaders
about child sex trafficking in America, so that they can
educate, equip, and empower the youth
who are in their care.
Elise Mullins, Kristen Cummins, and Mary Clay
Raising Awareness Project
Class MD544- Sexually Exploited Children
August 2012
1
Table of Contents
Section I- Introduction to the Resource Guide
Introduction to this Resource Guide
page 3
The Goal of this Guide
page 5
Section II- Child Sex Trafficking Topics
What is It? Human Trafficking is…
page 6
Who Does This to Others?
page 8
Why Does This Continue?
page 13
How Does the Media Affect This?
page 16
How Does the Internet Impact This?
page 19
Section III- Getting Involved: Having a Voice & Taking a Stand
How Does the Bible Speak to This?
page 22
How Can I help?
page 26
2
Section I. Introduction to this Resource Guide-
1. Identify the Need:
Our group is composed of individuals who work with youth in various capacities and
who are concerned over the rising danger and epidemic of sexual exploitation and child
trafficking. We can no longer live as if we are unaware that this is occurring on our domestic
home front. We are compelled to try to make a difference by raising awareness in youth, as well
as in the influential adults in children’s lives, such as parents, teachers and youth leaders.
This resource tool was compiled in order to bring the necessitated awareness to prevent
children from falling into the traps of predators and traffickers who would have them to be their
next victims. Instead, we desire the youth from this generation to become those who are wellequipped to address the ills of the trafficking situation so that they can take up the cause and
generate awareness amongst their own generation. This guide is designed for American youth
between the ages of 11 and 18 years of age. The resources listed herein can be utilized according
to the demographic needs of the specific group being considered.
This guide will be helpful for youth to learn about different aspects of the dangers of
trafficking in our world today, but it is also a helpful tool for the influential adults in youth’s
lives who might want to do a teaching, parent seminar, or event about the topic.
Existing awareness tools designed for youth are scarce and often fail to relate specifically
to the youth culture. They seem to lack central components that we see as invaluable to both
prevention and intervention modalities. This model provides a focus on encouraging youth to
establish their identity and worth in Christ. Knowing who are in Christ is the most vital resource
in helping youth to identify the lies that the media perpetuates concerning their value or beauty
and which make them susceptible to the lies of culture that objectify them according to their
looks or sexual prowess.
This model will also help to buffer the barrage of attacks that youth face daily by
equipping them with tools, resources, and ministries that will strengthen their resolve to not be
caught unawares. Once educated, empowered, and equipped to make a difference, they are less
likely to be led down the destructive tracts that the slow ebb of society, media, and sexual
predators would like to see them go. We aspire to see youth learn to stand up, to be a voice, and
to make a difference for those in their own generation. The youth of today have limitless options
of how they can become involved in either helping those who have already been affected by
child sexual exploitation and trafficking, as well as, unlimited potential in turning the tide of
prevention, so that millions others won’t be affected because the awareness brought through the
youth of their own generation.
2. Analyze the Need
Existing tools which bring awareness tend to focus upon sexual exploitation and
trafficking overseas and are not aimed specifically towards youth in America. However, youth in
3
America remain a group whom are at risk of sexual exploitation and trafficking. They are
bombarded with perversity throughout the media and live in a highly sexualized culture, yet
largely remain unaware of how they may be victims of supply or contributing towards the
demand of commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking. Equipping those who work with
youth with a practical and simple holistic means to raise awareness amongst youth will serve to
help prevent children from being lured away by predators. It will also enable them to help others
from falling into the same trap.
Why is the need important?
Without practical tools to equip influential leaders to raise awareness amongst youth, a
person can be left feeling daunted by the task even though they have the desire and passion to
bring awareness. Consequently, they might be discouraged from even attempting to take on
such a task.
Why isn’t it being met or how does it need to be met better?
The need is not being met effectively partially because of the misunderstanding of the
definition of human trafficking. Child sexual exploitation is largely misunderstood as children
who are trafficked (i.e. moved) to a different location and is connected with images of far away
countries, like India or Thailand.
But the truth is, and the law states, that regardless of the means used to coerce a child, if a
person is under the age of 18, they are still considered a victim- even if they gave some form of
consent. People need to become aware that domestic trafficking occurs throughout America and
that the children of America are vulnerable to it. Awareness tools that are relevant to youth, and
that specifically relate to situations in their life, are essential.
What will happen if this need is continued to be unmet?
If this need continues to be unmet, persons of influence in a child’s life will remain
unable to effectively bring awareness to the dangers of domestic sex trafficking. Consequently,
many children will continue to be victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking purely because
of a lack of knowledge. Furthermore, children will not be mobilized to utilize their skills to bring
awareness to others.
Sex trafficking is not a problem that is going away. In all reality, it will only continue to
worsen without swift and serious intervention. This generation needs to be empowered and
equipped with truth and strength over how to approach this epidemic in a meaningful way.
It is the hope of the authors that this guide can be used to help educate, empower and
equip youth leaders and youth, to be part of the solution of turning the tide for their own
generation.
4
The Goal of this GuideThis guide is meant to be a resource to educate, empower and equip youth leaders in
America so that they can in turn, educate, empower, and equip the youth whom they serve.
EducateThis guide educates its readers about the prevalence and scope of sex trafficking in the
United States. We gathered relevant literature in the field, both in print, and internet links and
multi-media formats, and compiled it in a way that those who work with youth (parents, teachers,
youth leaders, etc) could easily find relevant information and draw from in order to run
awareness assemblies, youth meetings, and even parent meetings on this topic in their schools
and churches. This guide is also user friendly for the youth who would like to be educated on it
themselves.
We have done the homework for these youth leaders. We have gathered helpful tools
and resources so that they are able to choose which resources best fit their focus and needs as
they implement their own awareness campaign. Since the goal of this project is awareness
training more for the preventative side, the resources will be heavily tipped towards that end
instead of towards the rescue side of things.
EmpowerThis guide empowers readers with a Biblical perspective of the value and worth of
individuals, and of the need to develop a healthy spiritual identity that helps to guard against the
desensitization of culture and grooming tactics of perpetrators.
This guide empowers the youth to make healthy choices for themselves and how to
intervene safely and effectively when they see red flags with teens around them. We will
empower them to develop and use their voice.
EquipThis guide equips youth leaders with tools and resources to develop a basic level
awareness to this problem of sex trafficking in America. None of us needs to reinvent the wheel.
Therefore, this guide provides the names of books, YouTube videos and internet links that will
help the youth leaders to dream up ways that they, and the youth that they lead, can become part
of a voice of prevention and change for the epidemic of child sex trafficking in America.
5
Section II. Child Sex Trafficking Topics
1- What is it?
Human Trafficking is:
Educate

Human trafficking involves the recruiting, transporting, transferring, harboring or
receiving a person. It may occur internationally, but it also occurs domestically,
right here within the borders of the United States.

There are 27 million people in slavery today, which is more slaves than ever in
history. 1

There are several exploitative purposes of human trafficking, including sexual
exploitation, such as prostitution, forced labor/debt bondage, slavery or servitude,
marriage, removal of organs, or war.

American children are victims of human trafficking. Many become prostituted
through threats, force, coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, payments or abuse of
power or position of vulnerability to establish control over another person.

When a minor is trafficked, even if consent of the child is given, the child has still
been trafficked and has been victimized.
Empower
While it might be shocking to realize that sex trafficking occurs at all, it is likely even
more shocking to discover that it occurs right here in America- if not within our own
communities, then very likely around the corner and down the street from us. Even more
disturbing is the fact that children are prime targets for sex traffickers precisely because they
are young and vulnerable. The age of a child is the prime factor which makes them at risk of
being preyed upon and sexually exploited. The average age of entry into prostitution and
pornography in the U.S. is 12 to 14 years old.2
High concentrations of children are prostituted in areas where youth are present, such as
malls, schools, adult entertainment venues, including strip clubs, adult video stores, massage
parlors, apartment complexes, hotels, malls, schools, adult venues.3 “New York State Office
of Children and Family Services reported in 2007 that an estimated 2,253 domestically sex
trafficked youth are in New York City on an annual basis.” 4
1
Bales, K. (2004). Disposable people: New slavery in the global economy. Berkeley, CA: University
of California Press.
2
Ibid,. 30.
3
Shared Hope International, The National Report on Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking: America's
Prostituted Children.(Vancouver, WA: Shared Hope International, 2009), 17.
4
Ibid,. 12.
6
These are staggering statistics for New York City, but let’s not be fooled that this is just
an inner-city phenomenon. Middle class children from the city and the suburbs are also
likely victims of domestic trafficking in the U.S. Profits from the commercial sex industry
globally is $33.9 billion per year. 5 These numbers indicate that an epidemic is occurring,
right here, right under our nose. And it is up to us to speak up, to raise awareness, and to
make a difference.
Equip
 Not For Sale Human Trafficking Statistics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snfZdSsYTB4&feature=related

Child Sex Trafficking in the United States
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGsEmKDqDt4

Human Trafficking in California
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa_Wo4hbh50&feature=related

CNN: Child Sex Slaves in America
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PLAPvxbYTM&feature=relmfu

Do you know Lacey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfo2pmBVrCI

Child Sex Trafficking on the Internet – ‘Selling the girl next door’ Documentary (may
want to skip the beginning) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFRZ1NDR0Rc

Abducted Girl, An American Sex Slave.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMQR27EgWsE&feature=related

100, 000+ Child Prostitutes abused in the USA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTejdoltf9c
Books about Sex Trafficking
 Bales, K. (2004). Disposable people: New slavery in the global economy. Berkeley,
CA: University of California Press.

Belser, P. (2007). Forced labour and human trafficking: Estimating the profits.
International Labour Office [ILO], 14.

Jewell, Dawn Herzog. Escaping the Devil’s Bedroom: Sex Trafficking, global
prostitution & the gospel’s transforming power. Grand Rapids: Monarch Books: 2008.
5
Belser, P. (2007). Forced labour and human trafficking: Estimating the profits. International Labour
Office [ILO], 14.
7
8
2- Who does this to others?
Predators: who they are and what they do
Educate:
Educate About Predators A predator is someone who seeks out a child or teen with an intention to use them
for their own purposes- whether for forced labor or sexual exploitation.

A predator looks at people as objects instead of as people of dignity, value and
worth. This objectification is how they can seek to profit from what is clearly
dangerous, damaging, and potentially deadly, to their victims.

A predator may “target children (specifically those ‘not living with their parents’)
because of their vulnerability and gullibility, as well as the market demand for
young victims.” 6

Predators who seek to traffic children “prey on victims as young as 12.
Traffickers have been reported targeting their minor victims through telephone
chat-lines, clubs, on the street, through friends, and at malls, as well as using girls
to recruit other girls at schools and after-school programs.” 7

Predators have strategies called ‘grooming techniques’ that enable them to gain
access to kids and lure them into a relationship. It then becomes easier to misuse
the kid’s trust and begin to abuse or exploit them for sexual purposes.
Educate About Grooming TechniquesGrooming Techniques are actions deliberately undertaken with the aim of
befriending and establishing an emotional connection with a child. The goal is to lower
the child's inhibitions so that they will not resist the sexual advances made by the
perpetrator or by those the perpetrator has passes the child off to for sexual activity:

6
Older boyfriend: A main tactic used by traffickers/pimps to prey on youth is to
institute a cycle of intimacy and violence. It is not unusual for a trafficker to first
develop an intimate relationship with a targeted youth as a “boyfriend.” This
sometimes is referred to as the “lover-boy tactic.” The trafficker uses a child’s
desire for affection to lock her into the relationship with him8. Men, usually 1825, seek out vulnerable girls from broken lives, with learning difficulties, or
7
www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osdfs/factsheet.html
www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osdfs/factsheet.html
8
Ibid,. 35.
9
mental problems. They manipulate her by wooing her with elaborate gifts,
romance, and flowery words. This is meant to lead to sex and falling blindly in
love. Then the Loverboy begins to enslave her. He followers her where ever she
goes, asks her to do sexual favors for friends, and may ask that she get his name
tattooed on her body to show her fidelity. Soon, the Loverboy begins to insist that
she prostitutes herself, and may threaten her with beatings, and possibly threaten
her family. The Loverboy will watch the girl as she begins to work as a prostitute
so that she cannot escape. Finally, the Loverboy forces her to forfeit all her
money and earnings.9

Dating Violence: Violence including grooming, abuse, assault can be part of
dating relationships. It usually starts with emotional abuse. Dating violence can
occur on the first date or well into a relationship. It may grow to include physical
and sexual abuse including repeated rape. Boyfriend abuse can be part of the
progression from dating to prostitution. Both male and female partners can be
subject to such abuse. Understanding the right to a safe and positive dating
experience can reduce teen vulnerability to further abuse and trafficking.10

Familial Trafficking: A family member trades or rents their child for sexual use
by another in exchange for money, food, drugs, etc. In Salt Lake City, “an 11year old was removed from her biological parents’ care due to drug use by the
parents. Two years after the removal, the child disclosed in therapy that her
parents forced her to watch pornography with her brother and then engage in sex
acts for the entertainment of their parents and their parents’ friends. The parents
often charged the spectators a fee payable in money or drugs, especially crystal
methamphetamine.”11

Target Children in Child Protective Services: “Group homes, foster care
homes, etc., can be targeted by traffickers/pimps who take advantage of the
concentration of vulnerable youth and systematically recruit from these
locations.112 The My Life, My Choice Project based in Boston, Massachusetts,
found that of the first 40 girls they worked with who were living in group home
within the foster care system, 38 had been approached by a pimp for
recruitment.”12

Preying on Runaways: Minors who run away from home attempting to escape
their environment are quickly approached by predators. “Runaway and homeless
youth in Salt Lake City in February 2008 found that of the 32% of youth who had
been victimized through ‘survival sex,’ 50% indicated that they had been sought
out and solicited by the adult perpetrator.”13
Jewell, Dawn. Escaping the Devils Bedroom. Grand Rapids: Monarch Books, 2008, 63
http://www.womenshealth.gov/violence-against-women/types-of-violence/dating-violence.cfm
11 11 Shared Hope International, The National Report on Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking: America's Prostituted
Children.(Vancouver, WA: Shared Hope International, 2009), 33.
12 Shared Hope International, 35.
13 Shared Hope International, 18.
9
10
10
Empower:
As hard as it might be to believe that there are some people who would cause
willful harm and danger to children, we must be willing to look at this reality because this
danger will not disappear on its own. We can no longer hide behind the ‘luxury of
denial.’ The U.S. government has proof that human trafficking is occurring “in all 50
states.”14
The reality is that sex trafficking in the United States can involve “school-age
children- particularly those not living with their parents.” 15 Of the total human
trafficking incidents opened for investigation between January of 2008 and June 2012 by
the U.S. Department of Justice, 40% of these cases were about the prostitution or sexual
exploitation of a child. 16
There are three ways we can learn to help. First, we can learn the characteristics
of predators and traffickers, and their grooming techniques so that we develop a safety
radar that alerts us when we see that someone fits a profile of these dangerous types.
When there is someone who is questionable according to these profiles, then it is the right
thing to do to bring this to an adult’s attention so that adults in roles of authority can help
assess the validity of the concerns.
Second, we can help to prevent new victimization by raising awareness among
others about the danger of those who would seek to harm children.
Third, we can help prevent new victimization by learning how to identify
someone who might be at risk. To the degree that we develop an attunement to the ‘red
flags’ then we are able to help others develop similar awareness too. We can also help
victims who have already been affected by trafficking. Instead of blaming victims, we
can be part of the voice of mercy and grace, a voice substantiated by actions that promote
the healing and restoration that these individuals so desperately need.
Equip
Resources on the Characteristics of Predators, their Strategies & Grooming Techniques

Air Force Space Command article- Characteristics of Sex Offenders
http://www.afspc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123289051

Dr Phil article on Sexual Predator Warning Signs
http://www.drphil.com/articles/article/266/

A Training for Probation Officers on ‘Grooming Techniques of Predatorshttp://cspl.uis.edu/ILLAPS/training/ProbationOfficerTraining/documents/groomingprese
ntation1.pdf
14
www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osdfs/factsheet.html
www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osdfs/factsheet.html
16 http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/cshti0810.pdf
15
11

Domestic Sex Trafficking: The Criminal Operations of the American Pimp
http://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/victims/humantrafficking/vs/documents/Domestic_Sex_Tra
fficking_Guide.pdf

Kids are not for sale
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0OzgfxB6G4&feature=relmfu

Sex Trafficking: How it works
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClOpws3XgwY&NR=1&feature=endscreen

Not for Sale: End Human Trafficking
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_HL2JSzYyo&playnext=1&list=PL1B04B9AF8416
B7F6&feature=results_main
Books on Predators and their Grooming Techniques

Baker, Dr. Leigh M. Protecting Your Children from Sexual Predators. (2002) St.
Martin’s Press.

Hare, Robert D, PhD. Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of The Psychopaths
Among Us (1999).

Salter, Anna C. Predators: Pedophiles, Rapists and Other Sex Offenders (2004)

Sax, Robin. Predators and Child Molesters: What Every Parent Needs to Know to Keep
Kids Safe. (2002)
Resources on the Children at Risk and Victims of Trafficking

U.S. Department of Justice article- Characteristics of Suspected Human Trafficking
Incidents, 2008-2010
http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/cshti0810.pdf

U.S. Department of Education: Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools. A Fact Sheet for
Schools on the Human Trafficking of Children in the U.S.
www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osdfs/factsheet.html

Probation Officer Training about Predator Grooming Techniques
http://cspl.uis.edu/ILLAPS/training/ProbationOfficerTraining/documents/groomingprese
ntation1.pdf

Internet Safety Quiz
http://www.missingkids.com/en_US/other/InternetSafety.htm
12
Resources of Modern Day Examples of Predators and Child Sex Trafficking

Characteristics of a Predator- the Jerry Sandusky Story
http://yourlife.usatoday.com/sex-relationships/lifesolutions/post/2011/11/penn-statesandusky-characteristics-of-a-predator/566361/1

Child sex trafficking: A story of a girl who managed to escape
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FvNbLyGFD0&feature=related

CNN: Girl Tricked into Sexual Slavery (From Mexico)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5bv2us3DPc&feature=relmfu
13
3- Why does this continue?
Society’s subtle support of trafficking
Educate

“American culture glorifies unrestrained sex and is normalizing commercial
sexual exploitation.”17

Every person contributes in subtle ways to the demand for sexually
trafficked minors by tolerating the normalization of sexualization in our
culture.

‘Pimp’ is a word that has become glorified in our modern world. It now
refers to something that is cool, improved, or better than it was previously.

Traffickers/pimps, facilitators, and buyers are using the Internet and other
technology, as well as magazines, to expand their marketing base (28)

Over a two-year period, an 800% increase was seen in the number of
children reporting that technology was used in some way to facilitate
prostitution (28).
Empower
The World’s view of sexuality
Sexual images and references are laced throughout music, magazines, movies,
and advertising. One does not have to search hard to find an explicit photo. Society
believes that sexual drive should not be controlled once ignited. Because of this, it has
become common for younger and younger students to engage in sexual activity.
The world sees sex as a token of status for a male and value for a female. The
belief is pervasive that if a guy really loves a girl, then they will get in bed together. The
pressure to have sexual experiences and to talk about them amongst peers is increasing at
an alarmingly younger and younger rate. The world’s casual attitude about sexual
interactions infects us to believe that the sexual choices we make are no big deal.
Dawn Herzog Jewell, author of Escaping the Devil’s Bedroom, provides some
harrowing statistics for us to consider: “84 percent of music videos on Black
Entertainment Television included sexual imagery – most commonly sexual
objectification and women dancing sexually,” and “27 percent of teen-rated video
games18 contained sexual themes… 46 percent of female characters had pronounced
17
18
Jewell, Dawn Herzog. Escaping the Devil’s Bedroom, page 65.
This is from a research study with a sample of 880 games, 396 of those released in 2001.
14
cleavage, large breasts, or provocative clothing.”19 Magazine advertisements have
increased their nudity and suggestive dressing from 28 percent in 1983 to 49 percent in
2003.20
“In a sexually charged society that both encourages promiscuity and
covets the innocence of youth, it follows that the demand for young victims will
rise to meet the cultural glorification of underage sexuality.
An example of the demand effect created by buyers can be found in the
activities surrounding large events, such as the Sundance Film Festival held in
Salt Lake City, the Ultimate Fighting Championships held in Las Vegas each
year, and the Super Bowl held in different cities each year. Law enforcement
noted that during these events traffickers move victims into the city in response to
the expected increased demand resulting in a higher incidence rate of adults and
minors arrested for prostitution in both locations.”21
Our Subtle Support
The world’s distorted view of sexuality perpetuates the trafficking of minors for
prostitution by reinforcing lies and sanctioning the reasons for the demand.
Sexualization transpires “when a person’s value comes only from his/her sexual
appeal or behavior, to the exclusion of other characteristics, and when a person is
sexually objectified.”22
It is easy to be naïve to our roll in generating the demand of sexually exploited
children. We may not have purchased commercial sex or have a sexual preference for
children, but instead, we have still become part of the normalization of sexualization in
our culture in more subtle, indirect ways.
Sexual images and references are laced throughout music, magazines, movies,
and advertising. For example,
 Maybe we enjoy watching “Pimp My Ride?”
 Maybe we listen to sexual degradation prevalent in music, repeating lyrics
such as the Pussycat Dolls, ‘Don’tcha wish your girlfriend was hot like
me?’
 Maybe we still go to concerts that have inappropriate stage antics amongst
young dancers and singers?
 Maybe we still shop at stores who have their teenage models wear
provocative clothing?
 Maybe we still watch the television shows highlighting racy underage
activities?
 Maybe we read the popular novels that involve sexualized teenage
relationships?
 Maybe we promote teenage dating at young ages because we think it is
cute?
19
20
21
22
Jewell, 69-70
Jewell 70
National Report on Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking by Shared Hope International, page 16.
Jewell, 66.
15

Maybe we think that it is “normal” and some sort of “rite of passage”
when teens date around and get their hearts ‘broken’ at young ages?
We must ask ourselves where have we actively or passively accepted these
aspects of culture? We must consider how do we model these beliefs to others? What do
the teens who are around us notice in the choices that we make? How do we use these
examples in culture as ‘teachable moments’ for the teens who are watching us?
It is crucial to recognize ways in which both our actions, and our inactions, have
supported the demand for exploited children so that we can rid ourselves of all forms of
participation, even the subtle ones.
Equip

CNN: Underage sex for sale on the internet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zK72mxdZZs&feature=relmfu

CNN Craigslist and the Sex Trade:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPg0k6hTZHo

‘Men paid to rape me via’ Craigslist
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRqSH_xS4rE&feature=relmfu

Child pornography fact sheet
http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PageServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US
&PageId=2451

“The Importance of Media Literacy in Preventing Child Sex Trafficking” Holly Smith
in Washington Times
http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/speakingout/2012/jun/19/importance-media-literacy-preventing-child-sextra/?goback=%2Egde_2051349_member_126646600

Tammy’s Journey Through Abuse and Into Prostitution at Age 15
http://www.sharedhope.org/WhatWeDo/RescueRestore/DomesticRescueRestoration/Stor
iesofHope.aspx
16
4- How does the Media affect this?
Media’s influence of ‘normalizing’ attitudes and lifestyles
Educate
o Mass media is creating a mass sexualization of today’s youth through the
sexualized images, messages, and products geared towards young people.
o The media’s campaign to target young people with early sexualization creates a
desensitizing effect. Desensitization is “a psychological process that has often
been involved in explaining viewers’ emotional reactions.” 23 Though this was
widely studied in relation to media violence, the same principles apply to what
happens to viewers in response to the hyper-sexualized culture that media
promotes.
o The net effect of this desensitization process is that, over time, those exposed to
the barrage of images and messages communicating this hyper-sexualized
message will incrementally adopt it as fact, and begin to alter themselves to live
up to it.
o This early sexualization of today’s youth creates a slippery slope that groom the
youth for earlier sexual encounters, as well as for more of an openness to the other
sexualized encounters that predators and traffickers would like to entice them
towards.
o All one needs to do is look at the current trend in Halloween costumes for young
girls- they are suggestive, sexualized, and seductive, and geared for 10-18 year
olds. 24 We must stop and ask ourselves, if we are promoting sexualized costumes
at this young age, then is it any surprise that our youth will continue dressing that
way at older ages?
Empower
The Rock of Ages is a movie that recently hit the theatres, starring Tom Cruise.
The plotline evolved from a clean coming of age story to one where in this sweet, Midwestern girl who came to California to live her dream in the world of Rock-N-Roll, has to
work as a stripper in order to ‘make ends meet.’
The overarching message that is communicated through her experience is one that
makes it seem like being a stripper is a vocation that sometimes you just have to fall back
on. It is a grossly false portrayal of the pain and trauma that truly exists in that world of
sexual exploitation, and of the scars and danger that exact its price.
23
24
http://www.bookrags.com/research/desensitization-and-media-effects-eci-01/
http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2007/10/28/eye-candy.html
17
But, what this movie, and other mass media projections, specifically the new
wave of reality television shows do is ‘normalize’ extremely early sexualized
experiences.
They desensitize the viewers to the fact that it is not really a healthy nor a good
thing to be ingesting this information because it is not edifying in any way, shape or
form. It might be entertaining, but is it edifying?
 Is it really ‘no big deal’ when a young toddler on Toddlers and Tiaras
Beauty Pageant Reality Show dresses up like the prostitute played by Julia
Roberts in the movie Pretty Woman
 Is it really ‘no big deal’ when the teenage moms from shows like The
Secret Life of the American Teenager and The Teen Mom Reality Show
become celebrities because of their choices? Is it really okay that their
relational and sexual exploits are splashed across magazine covers as if
their teenage love affairs are something to glamorize or learn from?
 Is it really ‘no big deal’ when a show like Little Miss Perfect Reality Show
These television shows and movies neutralize the effects of people’s choices and
gives a false presentation of what life is really about. They are called ‘reality shows’ as if
to convince us that what is represented is how people truly live in the midst of their life
choices. But these shows do not show the full array of consequences; they show the
details that make for good programming.
Their objective is to get good ratings for the show. They are going to ‘juice up’
the drama to make it interesting, without showing what life is truly like for these
individuals once the cameras are gone and the lights are off.
All of this just seems a little too easy for predators and traffickers who live to
break down the defenses and protective barriers of youth in order to convince them that
what they can offer them is not danger and pain, but rather, fun and exciting.
The predators and traffickers have less work to do to when we as a society
normalize young sexual relationships and seduction as if it is ‘normal.’ When media and
marketing makes all of this serious life stuff seem appealing, fun, and without serious
consequence, then sexual predators and traffickers have a lot less work to convince youth
to step into and live a young, fun, and sexualized life.
Equip
Effects of Media

Documentary on how media misrepresents women
http://www.missrepresentation.org

Effects of Mass media on Teens
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgUE4BeWM-g
18
How Media Desensitizes us to Violence

Youtube Video on Media’s Desensitizing Effects in Relation to the Colorado Massacre
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iPAD_ansd0&noredirect=1

Article on Desensitization and Media Effects related to Violence
http://www.bookrags.com/research/desensitization-and-media-effects-eci-01/
How Media Impacts Clothing:

Newsweek Article entitled, “Eye Candy: Little Girl’s Halloween Costumes…”
http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2007/10/28/eye-candy.html

Video about Celia Rivenbark’s Book- Stop Dressing Your Six Year Old Like A Skank.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=c45_1193594971
How Pageants Train Young Girls

The Little Miss Perfect Show
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2Gq6xV0jeg

Little Miss Perfect- Ashley’s Transformation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG3hy_xz-xc&feature=relmfu

Toddlers and Tiaras Prostitute Costume for a 3-Year-Old
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T5qN8bfpC4

You tube video comparing the natural beauty of girls with the Little Miss Perfect show
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfYK8VwYqeQ
How Media Promotes Certain Lifestyles through Reality TV

“Human Barbie” Gives Daughter Liposuction Voucher
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAZqEQigPXE&feature=related

14 Year Old Prostitute Worked on Moms Bed & Got Pregnant
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rT7cBVNZYE8&feature=related

Article on Teen Mom Shows Taking Over Reality TV
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2081928,00.html
19
5- How does the Internet impact this?
Online dangers
Educate

The media makes it seem as if sex trafficking usually occurs through the use of
kidnapping or brutal force, but traffickers use a variety of other techniques to draw in
their victims.

Traffickers use deceptive tactics such as false job advertising or promises of opportunities
that will never actually be realized. In America, many of these job postings or travel
opportunities are posted on the Internet.

They convince a person that the opportunity is real, and coerce the person into coming in
for an “interview.” When the person shows up, he or she is exploited through
commercial sex.

Facebook, Myspace and Craigslist are some of the websites that have been used to
advertise prostituted children.

The accessibility of online porn makes it all the more likely that children who are not
necessarily looking for it, will still find it. “Sadly, the average age of first exposure to
online porn is only 11.”25
Empower
Online Pornography:
The internet presents new challenges in the battle against due to the accessibility
of “The growth of the Web worldwide has made online pornography available to millions
of people, generating $2.5 billion annual revenue in the US alone.” 26
“40 millions America adults visit online porn sites regularly.”27 That is an
astounding statistic, but it is due to the gross availability and privacy that the internet
offers. Prior to the internet, people had to go to a store to purchase magazines in order to
view pornography. That took much more time, effort, and had the risk of being
discovered. But the internet affords instant availability in the privacy of one’s own home.
There is plenty of availability, accessibility and therefore, seemingly, no risk. But that is
all part of the lie. Viewing pornography is a slippery slope that easily leads to more and
more involvement.
Jewell, 76.
Jewell, 75.
27 Jewell, 75.
25
26
20
“Cyber sex is a new form of virtual prostitution in which entrepreneurs in the
Internet sex industry are expanding ways to sell flesh online.”28 This is very lucrative for
them because they need only pay to have one set of photographs taken, and yet, they can
use the same photographs to sell to an unlimited number of customers for years and years
to come.
Online Job Opportunities and Purchases
Potential victims are lured in because of the potential of something better for their
lives, whether it be a job opportunity, success, stability, or a promising relationship.
As youth leaders, we need to help teenagers become aware of these tactics. A
potential job opportunity should be researched before someone assumes it is legitimate.
For example, if there is a company listed on the job posting, that company should be
researched to make sure it exists and is reliable. A job that is advertising for young,
single women that requires little to no qualifications should be avoided.29 If there is
information missing such as an employer’s name and contact information, website, or job
location, then those should be seen as red flags.
The same caution should be observed when shopping online for a new car,
electronic item, or sporting equipment. If a teenager has to go to someone’s house or
other meeting spot to pick up an item purchased online, then that teenager should be
accompanied by an adult.
Online Dating
Some traffickers take a more direct route and use online dating or social media
websites to attract girls. They may meet online, and over time, portray themselves as a
loving potential boyfriend, slowly gaining the trust and affection of a girl. This is a
grooming technique that is done via the Internet, yet can still elicit the same kind of
emotional attachment.
In conjunction with gaining trust, the trafficker may also try to desensitize the
teenager to sexual ideas by sending increasingly graphic pornographic pictures1. After a
certain amount of time, the proclaimed boyfriend will set up a meeting time with the girl.
At that point, he will sexually exploit her either by force or by her own willingness since
she has been manipulated into believing that he cares for her.
Unfortunately in America, teenagers cannot expect most people to be trustworthy.
Teenagers need to be taught that even the most attractive and well-meaning guys can be
very deceptive. They should be guarded against strange messages or unknown friend
requests on Facebook or other social media. They need to be guarded against unknown
people that suddenly seem interested in them on the online chat forums. To be
precautionary against such messages, teens should have restricted privacy settings and
learn what kind of information should be kept private. Any identifying information that
could help locate their whereabouts should be kept confidential when online: social
security number, address, phone number, the city and state they live in, the school they
attend, etc.
28
Jewell, 77.
Shared Hope International, The National Report on Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking: America's
Prostituted Children.(Vancouver, WA: Shared Hope International, 2009), 38.
29
21
Equip:
National Report on Domestic Sex Trafficking, page 38
http://www.sharedhope.org/Portals/0/Documents/SHI_National_Report_on_DMST_2009.pdf
Tips for online safety
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/~/media/files/pdf/channels/parenting/help-protect-yourchildren-online.ashx
Internet Safety: Building Character and Building Walls
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/topicinfo/Internet_SafetyBuilding_Character_and_Building_Walls.pdf
Internet Filter to download
https://www.bsecure.com/offers/focusonthefamily.aspx
Department of Justice Project Safe Childhood
http://www.justice.gov/psc/publications.html
Keeping Kids Safer on the Internet
http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/ResourceServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US&P
ageId=2954
Internet Safety Quiz for Adults
http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PageServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US&PageI
d=3600
Online Victimization of Youth
http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/ResourceServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US&P
ageId=2530
Protect Children Online
www.netsmartz.org
Social Networking Cautions
http://onguardonline.gov/articles/0012-kids-and-socializing-online
Books on Online and Internet Safety for Teens:



Hansen, Chris. To Catch A Predator: Protecting Your Kids from Online Enemies
Already in Your Home. (2007).
Parcell, Lynne. Child Safety Online: The Kickstart Guide to Protect Your Child From
Internet Dangers. (2012)
Willard, Nancy E. Cyber-Safe Kids, Cyber-Savvy Teens: Helping Young People Learn to
Use the Internet Safely and Responsibly. (2007)
22
Section III. Getting Involved: Having a Voice & Taking a Stand
6- How Does the Bible speak to this?
Why a strong identity in Christ matters
Educate
30

We are bombarded with lies from the world, the media, and the Devil (who is a liar!).
These ‘voices’ try to tell us who we need to be in order to be accepted, affirmed and
loved. But they lie. And these lies aim to distort our self-image. Only God’s Word has
the power to restore the truth. It is God’s will that we know His heart and love for us.
o “He made us accepted in the Beloved (Jesus)” (Ephesians 1:6)
o “That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and
grounded in love may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width
and length and depth and height- to know the love of Christ which passes
knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:1719)

The promises in God’s Word help to build a solid foundation in Christ. Teens need to
know that they are not a mistake. No one is here by accident. Every person is meant to
be alive and their life matters. God knows us intimately. Even before we were in our
mother’s womb, He knew us.
o “Before I formed you in your mother's womb I (God) chose you. Before you were
born I set you apart.” (Jeremiah 1:5)
o “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalms 139:14-18).
o If a teen has a tough time believing either of these promises in their heart, then it
would be good to explore it with them, praying through what makes it hard for
them to believe these promises that preceded their first breath of life.

Identity and worth can never rest on what we do, nor on how well we achieve something.
We will all make mistakes, but those mistakes do not define us. “When teens understand
their worth in Christ, they can reject negative thinking that peers, insecurities and
problems hurl on them. Just because teens fail, which they will, doesn't mean they are a
failure.”30
o “Yet in all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
(Romans 8:37)
o “Nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our
Lord.” (Romans 8:39)
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/teens/your_teen_needs_you/build_your_teens_identity.aspx
23
Empower
The Value of a Person
All human beings were created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27). Because of the
value God puts on life, all persons should be treated with dignity and respect. Value is
not determined by race, gender, or status, but all are valuable in Jesus Christ (Galatians
3:28).
Every human being is loveable and worthy of God's love, simply because they
are made in His image. God the Father inscribed in the body of His Son the value and
worth of every person. He was willing for His Son to hang on a tree to convey to
every person the immeasurable worth that they carry. Therefore, irrespective of
what one has done or has had done to them, you contain infinite value.
Rather than allowing media, pop-culture or even other people to define us, we can
find our true identity and value in Christ. We were once in darkness and sin, but because
of Jesus we have been saved and made alive. He has chosen us and set us apart with
purpose. Because of His grace and love for us, we have hope for the future. In Him, we
find belonging in God’s family.
Biblical view of sexuality
American culture today has become very sexualized; however, sex is not a topic
typically discussed in church settings. The Bible has much to say about the topic.
Teenagers need to build a healthy view of sexuality based on God’s Word rather than the
distorted view of society.
In the Bible, sex is presented as a gift that should be protected, treasured, and
preserved for marriage. The reward of purity before marriage and faithfulness in
marriage will be great. Sexual feelings are natural, but they should not be acted upon
until true love in the context of marriage (Song of Songs 2:7)
Restoration is possible for teenagers that have already engaged in sexual activity.
God is a forgiver and the one who gives new life.
o “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have
passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
God desires to bring His redemption into every area our lives, even our sexuality.
o “Do you not know that body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you,
whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were
bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit,
which are God’s.” (2 Corinthians 6:19-20)
God chose Rahab, a prostitute, to save the people of Israel and be a part of His
lineage (Josh 2:1-24). He accepts us even when we are sexually broken, just like the
woman with the alabaster jar of perfume, the woman at the well and the woman caught in
adultery (Luke 7:36-50, John 4:4-30, John 8:1-11), His love heals our sexual brokenness.
24
Equip
Related Websites:

The Father’s Love letter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiGDo_FIjFg&feature=related

We will Wait Movement
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z84hwz8YHJg&feature=player_embedded#!

We Will Wait
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEsAr7jpz2c&feature=player_embedded#!

Girls Eyes Only
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yctnZtHB52Q&feature=player_embedded#!

Target or Treasure? – by Caitlin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYxLY-MEDhQ&feature=player_embedded#!

What your teens need to know about sex
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/lifechallenges/love_and_sex/purity/what_your_teens_
need_to_know_about_sex.aspx

Pure again
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/lifechallenges/love_and_sex/purity/pure_again.aspx
Videos / Songs:

Journey of the Beloved- refusing the labels the enemy gives & accepting Christ’s instead.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT68S0lTOTE

Misty Edwards: Arms wide open (what does love like?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhnKiq76QMg

You Have Ravished My Heart – Brian and Jenn Johnson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYsG3LDN4BY
Books on Protecting the Innocence of Youth

Anderson, Neil. Winning the Battle Within: Realistic Steps to Overcoming Sexual
Strongholds. (2008)
25

Anderson, Neil and Miller, Rich. Leading Teens to Freedom in Christ: How to Win the
Battle for our Young People. (1997)

Arterburn, Stephen. Every Young Man’s Battle: Strategies for Victory in the Real World
of Sexual Temptation. (2009)

Arterburn, Stephen. Preparing Your Son for Every Man’s Battle: Honest Conversations
About Sexual Integrity. (2010)

Ethridge, Shannon and Stephen Arterburn. Every Young Woman’s Battle: Guarding
Your Mind, Heart, and Body in a Sex-Saturated World. (2009)

Ethridge, Shannon. Every Young Woman’s Battle Workbook: How to Pursue Purity in a
Sex-Saturated World. (2004)

Gresh, Dannah. Six Ways to Keep the “Little” in Your Little Girl: Guiding Your
Daughter from Her Tweens to Her Teens. (2010)

Gresh, Dannah. Six Ways to Keep the “Good” in Your Boy: Guiding Your Son from His
Tweens to His Teens. (2012)

Levin, Diane E. and Kilbourne, Jean. So Sexy So Soon: The new sexualized childhood
and what parents can do to protect their kids. (2008)

Lundy, Eric and Leslie. Teaching True Love to a Sex-at-13 Generation: The Ultimate
Guide for Parents. (2005).

Smith, Timothy. The Seven Cries of Today’s Teens: Hear Their Hearts, Make the
Connection. (2003).
Books on warning signs in a teen dating relationship

Bancroft, Lundy. Why Does He Do That: Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling
Men (2003).

Evans, Patricia. The Verbally Abusive Relationship How to Recognize it and How to
Respond. (2010).

Levy, Barrie. In Love and In Danger: A Teen’s Guide to Breaking Free of Abusive
Relationships. (2006)

Murray, Dr. Jill. But I Love Him: Protecting Your Teen Daughter from Controlling,
Abusive, Dating Relationships. (2000)
26
7- How can I help?
Become a voice of change to this generation
What Can I Do to Help If I’m A Youth Leader / Parent / Teacher?
1. Do some research on what local organizations are in your area.
 Contact them to see if they could use some volunteer help.
 Take some teens with you to volunteer.
 If it goes well, then make serving together a regular event, even once every month
or two maintains a realistic consistency that is both manageable, but also a
blessing.
2. Ask the local organizations whether they offer training classes for parents, teachers,
youth leaders, or teens.
 If so, you could have them come to your home, classroom, or youth group, to give a
presentation about what their organization does.
 You could provide a raffle, bake sale or coffee cart that night to raise money to give
to the organization.
 Maybe the organization offers community service hours for teens and so teens could
acquire the service hours they need to get anyway, but do it for a cause that now is
dear to their heart.
3. Be willing to be personally involved in teen’s lives.
 Start a small group with 5-7 teens that would be relationship-based, but with a shared
focus.
 It could be focused on any sort of shared activity (like a sports club where you go to
local sporting events together, a Bible study, movie club, sewing club, service club,
etc).
 The point is that everyone is excited to come and enjoy healthy time to interact with
you as the leader and with each other.
4. Begin a monthly game night where you gather teens for a night of board games and
cards.
 Teens can bring along their favorite games or they can just play the ones that you
provide. There are so many board games out there now, some use video clips,
others just cards, dice, and the like.
 The point is to foster healthy and fun interaction over the games.
 It provides a nice time to sit and talk and connect about what is going on and can
be an on-ramp for later more meaningful dialogue.
27
5. Begin a movie club where you will gather to watch different appropriate movies and
discuss the themes in them.
 The movies should have symbolic meanings and edifying themes, or else movies
that teach harder lessons but would still be meaningful to watch and discus. (The
Chronicles of Narnia, Dead Poet’s Society, The Matrix, The Lord of the Rings,
To Save a Life, Soul Surfer, etc).
 Teens could dress up according to the theme of the movie or offer prizes for the
teen who brings the most creative snack.
 Give them 20 minutes to co-write a sequel to the movie and discuss why they had
certain characters behave in certain ways. Discuss whether the sequel is realistic
and believable. Discuss whether they would want to star in or even go see their
own movie.
6. Healthy adult relationships are the best inoculation against the wiles of perpetrators and
others with impure motives.
 When teens know that they matter, that they are loved and cared for by healthy,
loving and caring adults, then they do not need to go to other teens to try to get
these deep emotional needs met.
 Same age friendships are not meant to be the place that they learn about how to
have healthy relationships. Rather, they are to learn that from the healthy adults
around them, and then their peer friendships are the place where they get to
practice these healthy skills. Genuine relationships with adults is the training
ground for the skills that they will then practice in their peer friendships. If we
expect their peers to teach them healthy relationship skills then we have sorely
undervalued and dismissed our role as leaders, parents, and teachers.
 See a great article called, “Wired but Dis-Connected: Helping Kids Establish
Genuine Relationships in a Networked World” by, Benjamin Kerns. This article
is found at http://www.youthworker.com/youth-ministry-resources-ideas/youthministry/11637727/page-2/
7. Watch a movie such as "Taken" with teenagers.
 Have a discussion afterward about the movie- discus the themes, characters, and
details. Write out a few questions before hand so if the teens don’t initiate any
questions, you are not at a loss. You could throw questions in a hat and each
teen picks out a question then answers it aloud. Or write down different pivotal
conversations in the movie and have the teens act out different ways that scene
could have gone that may have led to a different plot.
 Discuss how the situation could have been avoided, specifically as it relates to
traveling abroad with other young people. What precautions should be taken?
What does wisdom say while travelling in a foreign country? This even applies
to travelling around a city in America where they have never been.
 Have them bring their phones, ipads, laptops, or other electronic devices and do a
tutorial with them about safety while travelling. Help them develop an ICE (In
28
Case of Emergency plan). Help them to find apps or websites that would be
easy to access in a time of need. Encourage them to make a folder or place
where those sites will be easily accessible in case of an emergency.
8. Host a focus group discussing safety precautions around internet usage.
 Let the students discuss what they feel is important to watch out for, and then educate
them on any areas they are unaware of.
 This kind of group could focus on any area surrounding sex trafficking - society's
perspective of human value vs. God's perspective, how media affects teenagers, etc.
 Assist the teens in putting together their own presentation so that they can learn how
to prepare a teaching as well as get public speaking skills in the process.
9. Host an event/fundraiser that will be fun for teenagers, but can also be a platform used to
raise awareness.
 Parents could gather together to promote a fun theme- and there could be parent
versus teen competitions (races, games, sports, trivia games, etc).
 Teens seem to love having competition with things between themselves.
 If they have a chance to beat the adult leaders or parents, or even to make them
look silly (rent a dunk tank or do a pie eating contest) then they will be extra
motivated to participate.
10. Have a competition where teams in the within youth group or classroom raise money.
 The team who raises the most money for a ministry against sex trafficking wins.
 Offer some big prize for the winning group. The prize could be a special dress
day, a special lunch or outing with a teacher or leader whom they love being
around, or
 The teenagers can be creative in how they find ways to generate funds. The most
creative ways earns extra points that will help balance out against those who
might do a simpler, less creative way, but make more money.
29
What can I do to help if I'm a teen?
1. Start a blog with your friends about teen safety.
 It will be a fun project that you get to do together.
 You will have a wonderful product to show for all of your time and efforts.
 It will encourage other teens to step up and do something similar.
2. Refuse to shop at stores like Ambercrombie & Fitch because of the way that they
advertise with sexy teen models.
 Shop at stores that honor the teens who they sell to.
 Visit the store and talk to the managers, politely telling them why you refuse to
shop at their store and asking if they’d be willing to change their marketing so it is
more honoring to the teenage customers.
 Search websites and catalogs for great examples of clothing advertisements that
are cute and fashionable, but not inappropriate. Visit those stores and explain to
them how much you like and appreciate the value they place on teens by how they
present them in advertisements.
3. Do a basic fundraiser.
 Try a car wash on a Saturday morning and give the proceeds to an organization
that is working to fight sex trafficking.
 Clean out all of your closets and gather everyone’s stuff together for a big
rummage sale. You could give the proceeds to a sex trafficking organization or
even donate clothes to the ministries who help girls start professional careers after
coming out of trafficking.
4. Host a benefit concert.
 You could use cool local bands who teens already know and like.
 Or headline some of the high school/garage bands (the guys who have their own
band but who just do it for fun). They have no other outlet to perform their
songs. They will be stoked to get an audience, and you will have a great and
easy upbeat night for teens to gather together.
 Include time during the concert to speak out and raise awareness about sex
trafficking.
5. Order cheap rubber bracelets with a message on them such as "Stop Sex Trafficking" or
"Become Aware" or something else creative.
 Make an art competition or a slogan contest where schools and churches will all
work on the artwork and slogan for the bracelets. The winner of each will be
awarded a chance to share their inspiration and why they created what they did.
 The bracelets with the chosen slogan can be handed out or sold along with a small
insert giving a few facts about sex slavery and the related artwork. Have an
30

assembly or event ‘unveiling’ the finished product. Let the slogan winner and the
artwork winner speak.
Everyone who participated receives extra bracelets to share and give away.
Everyone who attends gets a bracelet. Other bracelets could be purchased to be
sent to other countries or for other causes. When the teens wear the bracelets they
will be asked what they mean and awareness will spread.
6. Choose the topic of sex trafficking for a paper or even a group project at school.
 You will be able to gather lots of resources on it and learn for yourself.
 Find a way to present the information you learn in an appealing manner- on a
display board, on a website or facebook page.
 Print out pamplets and hand them out at church or school.
7. Begin a Twitter account.
 Tweet facts about child sex trafficking to raise awareness among other teens.
 Offer cool give-aways for teens who tweet the most accurate facts within a certain
time frame (like a certain 3-day period).
 Have the winner come up with the next twitter contest in a related field.
8. Design a cool T-Shirt.
 Have a t-shirt design contest similar to the bracelet design idea in #5.
 Include safety tips or numbers that teens need to know.
 Sell the t-shirts to raise money or auction them off and give the proceeds to a
related cause.
9. Start a strategy group in your school to bring awareness to your school.
 Make flyers, posters, and plan a school assembly to share your cause.
 Find a teacher, counselor, or adult at school who would be excited to serve as
your advisor for this group.
 This will help you get some extra input, resource, and ‘pull’ with the other adults
who can open doors of opportunity for you and help you to see your dreams for
this group come to pass.
10. Make a question & answer YouTube discussion.
 Do a spontaneous Q and A time on the street corner asking people specific
questions about sex trafficking in America. (let them know that you are posting
this video on You Tube so they can choose to participate or not).
 Discus what you found most helpful to know as you have become more aware of
child sex trafficking.
 Add some cool music and encourage your friends and families to view it to see
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how many views you get.
11. Put together a talent show for your school, church, or community center where teens can
showcase their talents.
 The message could be centered on developing who you are and enjoying the
uniqueness about yourself and others.
 It could be called ‘Don’t Sell Out’ and could intersperse moments or facts about
not letting the world, culture, or others define you.
 Charge a small fee for the show and the winning acts get to choose which charity
or organization related to sex trafficking that the proceeds go to.
Resources on Becoming a Voice:

CNN Freedom Project: Teens help fight human trafficking
http://thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/11/teen-helps-fight-humantrafficking/

High School Students Learn to Fight Trafficking at Summit
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=21216818

Campaign Advertisements which can be downloaded and printed out
http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PageServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US
&PageId=1290

Tiny Hands International: The One Girl Prayer Initiative and Prayer Bracelet
http://www.tinyhandsinternational.org/

Practical tips to prevent the sexual exploitation of children
http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/ResourceServlet?LanguageCountry=en
_US&PageId=4036

How to report Child Sexual Exploitation (download cybertip-line video)
http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PageServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US
&PageId=2936

The Polaris Project: For a World Without Slavery. The link below is a state by state map
http://www.polarisproject.org/state-map

Sex Trafficking in America: Practical Ways to Help Victims and Prevent Exploitation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPhE9rDzX3k (video) http://www.frc.org/traffic
**Disclaimer: Some of the media contains explicit sexual content and therefore it may not be appropriate to use a
section of the clip depending on the audience.
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