Work Group 4: Keeping At-Risk Youth Safe

Chaired by Comfort in the Storm (Kathy Butler)

Work Group 4 is focused on developing CSEC prevention and awareness strategies to avoid the possible exploitation of at-risk youth, i.e. those who are in foster care, juvenile systems, and youth who have experienced violence, abuse, family dysfunction, etc. Additionally, using a trauma-informed, youth-centered approach, WG4 initiatives also aim to directly educate and empower all youth by equipping them with information and tools to: 1) define and identify human trafficking; 2) identify potential vulnerabilities that traffickers use to exploit youth; and 3) understand how to seek help if they, or someone they know, is at risk.

  • Past or current projects: 
  1. Human Trafficking Peer -to- Peer Youth Curriculum: This curriculum is comprised of 4 modules, Introduction to Human Trafficking, Social Media Safety, Cultural Aspects of Human Trafficking, and Finding Courage in the Face of Human Trafficking. The curriculum is centered around giving at – risk youth information and tools to identify and define what human trafficking is and how to seek help if they or someone they know is at risk. The curriculum can be used to facilitate youth conferences, as well as small group instructor-led workshops. It has also been adapted for virtual facilitation, if necessary. We envision expanding the facilitation model to include youth leaders serving as co-facilitators for each of the modules.
  2. Train the Trainer Guide: to accompany the Human Trafficking Peer-to Peer Youth Curriculum to enable individuals to effectively train others on how to deliver the modules.
  3. Public Ad Campaign: Work Group 4 is also developing a public ad campaign targeted towards youth around the topics of HT101, Sextortion and the Safe Adult.
  • Suggested disciplines to apply For WG 4: 
  • Victim Service for Youth: victim advocates, CSEC service programs, residential programs, foster homes
  • Government agencies serving youth: DFCS, DJJ
  • Community based programs serving youth (YMCA, Boys and Girls clubs)
  • Education: teachers, counselors, school resource officers, administrators
  • Faith based communities
  • Ultimately, any professional who has a passion for serving and protecting youth