Empowering Young Men In Ending Sexual Exploitation

Progress Report on the Implementation of

CAASE’s New Prevention Curriculum:

Empowering Young Men to End Sexual Exploitation

            “Prostitution is a scar on the face of our society.”  This is what one young man in 12^th grade wrote in a written response following his completion of “Empowering Young Men.”  He went on to say, “I am disappointed with the misinformation [we are] taught… Prostitution is not a choice… and it is a big business in the US.”  Another young man wrote, “This is wrong… most prostitutes enter the lifestyle as children…  I am disappointed with the fact that most men think that [buying sex] has no emotions attached to it.”

Thanks to your very generous support, young men are getting the message.  Nearly 700 young men – Chicago students in 8^th through 12^th grade – have participated in “Empowering Young Men to End Sexual Exploitation” with Caleb Probst, Education Outreach Associate for the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation.  From the classroom discussions about needing to be role models and leaders in their neighborhoods, to the written responses expressing a desire to learn more, the vast majority of these young men are demonstrating an understanding of the problem of prostitution and a willingness to act.  One young man in 8^th grade, showing a clear understanding of the link between poverty and prostitution, wrote, “I want to get people [in this school] to donate food, clothing, and shoes to the women who need it.” 

These responses show that “Empowering Young Men” is having a positive impact the young men in Chicago.  As the 2010-2011 school year winds to a close, CAASE is beginning to take the necessary steps to bring the curriculum into even more schools next year.  Thank you for continuing to support this project; the numbers of young, male allies continues to grow daily.