Using the My Life My Choice Curriculum: Training of Group Facilitators

1. Using the My Life My Choice Curriculum: Training of Group Facilitators Lisa Goldblatt Grace, LICSW, MPH Co-Founder & Director Audrey Porter Associate Director My Life My Choice A Program of Justice Resource Institute

2. Agenda Introductions History of the Curriculum Goals of the Curriculum/Goals of your group Planning for the Group The MLMC Curriculum: Session by Session Creating Safety Solidifying Plans

3. Are we reaching the right girls? For example, the vulnerability of girls in state custody Example: Of the first 40 girls we reached in our groups (all living in group homes): 38 had been approached by a pimp at some time 3 had been commercially sexually exploited (under pimp control) 6 had been exploited while on the run

4. Are we reaching the right girls? For example, the vulnerability of girls in state custody Example: In one local middle school: 10 out of 10 witnessed violence in their community 9 out of 10 witnessed or experienced violence in the home (domestic violence or child abuse) 9 out of 10 had a parent struggling with drug and/or alcohol addiction 7 out of 10 had been approached by a pimp at some time in the previous year within their community 5 out of 10 had a history of running away from home

5. Evaluation • Pre- and post- questionnaire • Journal entries • Debriefing with program staff

6. Quantitative Data Compared pre- and post-questionnaires Most significant change: Participants’ understanding of recruitment techniques Example: St. Catherine’s Home “What are the signs that someone is trying to recruit you for prostitution?” Name three. Pre: 30% answered correctly Post: 90% answered correctly

7. Quantitative Data Example: Smith Middle School Pre: 30% of girls were able to identify a pimp in a sample anecdote Post: 90% of the same girls correctly identified the pimp. Post also show a noticeable difference in girls’ familiarity and comfort level with seeking resources, including reaching out to police and/or social workers.

8. Satisfaction Data 96% of girls reported being “very satisfied” with the group What could be improved? “The group should be longer”, “The group should be shorter” What did they like best? “We share all our thoughts and you can say what is on your mind,” “I liked how comfortable the environment felt.”

9. Qualitative Data Quotes from journals “I learned so much about prostitution in one day that it was so amazing.” Today was great in girls group, I remembered all the memories and how strong I am and how I keep my head up. I now [know] its not my fault and I’m not alone. I have a younger sister. I hope she is never exploited. So to prevent this, I will pass on this knowledge to her as she gets older. “Speaking up today [about my experiences on the run] made me feel like I silently helped someone. I had the courage because I knew the both of you would help support me.”

10. Qualitative Data Quotes from journals “Maybe this is not a group for me… The topic is something I don’t want to talk about. Because I just found out that my mother is out there. So it is a lot for me right now.” “Talking about pimps made me think about the many things that could have happened to me… Talking to you made me more scared about going out there without somewhere to go and sleep.” “I felt like something had changed in me. Like something good.”

11. Anecdotes

12. Three goals of the group:- Attitude- Knowledge - Skills

13. Goal #1 Change Attitudes: Decrease teens’ perception of the commercial sex industry as innocuous or glamorous; Increase teens’ perception of the commercial sex industry as dangerous and debilitating

14. Goal #2 Improve Knowledge: Improve teens’ understanding of Commercial Sexual Exploitation: the realities of the Life, recruitment, the Demand, the media, etc.

15. Goal #3 Increase Skills: Increase teens’ ability to reduce the risk of exploitation OR increase the likelihood that teens can find the path and resources to exit if they become exploited.

16. Maria—never been exploited; not aware of anyone close to her that was exploited; interested in the group but doesn’t think it applies to her.Keisha—living in a group home; mother has been prostituted for years; Keisha has been approached by pimps; states that she has never “crossed the line.” Brenda—was sexually exploited off Craigslist by a pimp for 3 months when she was missing from care at the age of 15; now 16 and has never talked about it with anyone.

17. Facilitation Model:Survivor +Clinician

18. Group Model: Educational Emphasis + Relational/Clinical Component

19. Planning for the group What do staff/support people need to know? Who will participate? Where should the group be? When should the group be? How many weeks/sessions should the group be?

20. Collecting Data

21. Creating Safety What do you need to do to promote girls’ physical and emotional safety during group?

22. Maria—never been exploited; not aware of anyone close to her that was exploited; interested in the group but doesn’t think it applies to her Keisha—living in a group home; mother has been prostituted for years; Keisha has been approached by pimps; states that she has never “crossed the line”. Brenda—was sexually exploited off Craigslist by a pimp for 3 months when she was missing from care at age 15; now 16 and has never talked about it with anyone.

23. Small group questions 1) What is your plan for doing this group? 2) Are there any barriers/concerns to this group being successful? What are possible solutions? 3) What else do you need to be able to run these groups successfully?

24. Questions? Lisa Goldblatt-Grace Director 617.699.4998 lgrace@jri.org “My Life My Choice is the gold standard in prevention and mentoring programs for commercially sexually exploited and trafficked girls.” RACHEL LLOYD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Girls Educational and Mentoring Services Audrey Porter Associate Director 617.512.0191 aporter@jri.org www.fightingexploitation.org www.facebook.com/mylifemychoice