Implementing a curriculum to educate and empower young men, it is possible to decrease the number of people who patronize the sex trade while also creating a larger community of anti-exploitation allies.
What is the issue, problem, or challenge?
Between 16,000-24,000 women and girls are affected by the Chicago sex trade every day; 35% entering before the age of 15. Approximately 90% of these women and children are physically, sexually, and emotionally abused at the hands of traffickers and customers.The root cause of this exploitation and violence is the demand to purchase sex. As long as the demand for sex exists, more vulnerable women and children will be forced, coerced, and manipulated to sell their bodies in the sex trade.
How will this project solve this problem?
By refocusing anti-violence efforts toward male audiences, this curriculum contributes to the solution by educating men on the harms of the sex trade while shifting their attitudes and behavior towards exploited individuals and sexism in our society.
Potential Long Term Impact
By shifting the community focus from targeting women in the sex trade to eliminating the demand for paid sex, there will be a significant reduction in sexual exploitation and gender-based violence in communities nation-wide.
Total Funding Received to Date: $6,658
Remaining Goal to be Funded: $3,343
Total Funding Goal: $10,000