Teaching Students Skills To Reduce Victimization: Tips for School Counselors

I don't know if I have ever shared with my readers that I am currently teaching a peer leadership class. Well actually, I am teaching five sections of peer leadership from middle school to high school in the evenings. In the highest level of my peer leadership class (aka Peer 3), I decided to teach a lesson on Sex Trafficking Awareness. This idea came about after one of our students in a lower level of peer leadership brought up his concerns about not knowing what to do if he was confronted with the issue in school. To be honest, it was one of the most eye opening lessons that I have taught in a while and the students were grateful that I was teaching about a subject which had not receive much attention in school. I am passionate about empowering students with proactive skills on how to protect themselves and educate others. In addition to the student lessons, I have been asked to create a school counselor lesson as well. This week I will be sharing this information with a group of master level students at a college. To me, this information can save many lives from potential victimization and counselors should be knowledgeable about this issue.

So, have you been looking for a lesson to teach student leaders about Sex Trafficking? In this post, I think I have a lesson that may be of interest to you along with additional resources.

Student Lesson

Sex Trafficking Awareness Student Leader Edition
Looking for a lesson to educate and promote awareness regarding the dangers of sex trafficking? This presentation is intended for high student leaders to learn about sex trafficking, provide awareness to their peers, and create an action plan. This can be taught in the fall before promoting awareness about Sex Trafficking Awareness each January. Also, download the free separate parent permission letter before starting the lesson.

Sex Trafficking Education for Student Leaders Parental Permission Letter-Download this letter as a companion to the Sex Trafficking Awareness Student Leadership lesson.

What is Sex Trafficking Awareness?

Check out this short film from Frederick Douglass Family Iniatives

Human Trafficking in American Schools defines Sex Trafficking as "when a child (a person under 18 years of age) is induced to perform a commercial sex act, proving force, fraud, or coercion against the child’s pimp is not necessary for the offense to be characterized as human trafficking."

Why Should School Counselors Be Concerned?

Here are some basic facts you should consider about Sex Trafficking.

Sex Trafficking is the second leading crime in the world.
If a student runs away from home and not recovered in 48 hours, it is likely they have been pulled into sex trafficking.
Victims have a 30% chance of death.
Trafficking creates unhealthy relationships.
Trafficking starts around age 12 in girls and 11 in boys.
Trafficking can occur in the community and in school.
Peers often recruit other peers.

What Can Counselors Do?

Educate, educate, educate! Providing awareness is key to help our students avoid victimization.

Providing Awareness

January is Sex Trafficking Awareness Month

Know the Law

Sex Trafficking is child abuse and staff members must report suspected abuse. Here is a list of state laws regarding reporting child abuse in your state.

State Laws Regarding Reporting Child Abuse