Prevention Services

Who is it for

Every child is vulnerable to exploitation (yes, some are more at risk than others). This training is appropriate for youth ages 12 to 18. This program is intended for any group of youth in the community. Child Advocates is available to teach Not a Number in any setting, including schools, child welfare and juvenile justice agencies, group homes, residential treatment centers, churches, and other youth-serving organizations.

This information is designed for prevention and early identification of vulnerabilities and exploitation. Not a Number is not intended to be used as a primary treatment tool for youth who have already experienced trafficking and exploitation.

This interactive curriculum applies across all gender, ethnicity, sexual identities and orientation, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

The curriculum

Certified trainers provide practical, applicable information and tools to inspire all youth, regardless of risk, to make safer choices online (internet, social media, video games, etc.) and in relationships. The program also helps youth learn to identify potentially dangerous situations and behaviors and develop a safety plan, if needed.

Skills taught include:

• Identify harmful language to one’s self and others
• Challenge stereotypes and judgments that increase risk
• Identify how people can use technology to abuse and exploit someone
• Raise awareness of what constitutes human trafficking and exploitation
• Define consent
• Learn how to recognize unhealthy relationships and build healthy ones (red, green, and yellow flags)
• Identify personal and peer vulnerabilities
• Learn how to recognize recruitment tactics
• Create a safety plan for a potentially risky situation
• Apply safety strategies to real-world situations
• Know how to access community resources
• Identify healthy support systems
• Determine when a situation requires help from a safe adult and/or professional support

Program Format

Not a Number is taught to groups between 5 and 30 youth. The interactive curriculum creates space for instruction and honest dialogue on topics such as human trafficking, exploitation, abuse, vulnerability, and violence. The knowledge gained equips youth to advocate for themselves and other peers. Did you know that studies show that teens most often confide in a peer before alerting a safe adult to a problem in their relationship or an online threat?

The curriculum uses a combination of videos, classroom instruction, and hands-on activities that creates a safe and respectful space for youth and adults to have open and informed conversations. The program is focused on harm reduction, providing youth with the tools and skills to guard against their vulnerabilities whether online or in real life.