Empowering Young Men In Ending Sexual Exploitation

February, 2017

 Although the calendar has turned the page on a new year, Chicago’s high school students are just over the half-way point.  With the school year at its midpoint, we’d like to share some of our initial successes in the classroom.

CAASE educators have seen:

• a 22% increase in the number of students who say they will “never” call a girl or woman by a derogatory name like slut or hoe,
• a 178% increase in the number of students who think pornography poses a problem to society,
• a 77% increase in the number of students who say they would not go to a strip club if given the opportunity, and
• a 79% increase in the number of students who say they will discourage their friends from this behavior.

CAASE views these as key indicators of success because commercial sexual exploitation is able to flourish when society tolerates the objectification of certain people.  Calling some women sluts and watching others degraded through pornography are ways of participating in objectifying some women.  Remaining silent as a friend does it, is a way of tolerating it.

Students are getting the message, and committing to taking a stand.  As one student told us:

“I have a new understanding for why it is important to respect all women.”