Sex Trafficking Education
We conduct multi-sector, community, active engagement, educational training to increase awareness of sex trafficking. Our objective is to provide safeguards for vulnerable persons and foster an interactive, multi-disciplinary, anti-trafficking community through outreach to neighborhoods, prevention program in schools, first-responders, service providers, lawmakers, faith based communities, and the population at large.
Age is the primary factor of vulnerability being used against the victims and the signs of being targeted are not immediately recognizable to an unsuspecting teen. Through education, we can teach our children to recognize the signs before they are caught up in a very dangerous cycle that is difficult to escape.
Education and Awareness are Key in the Prevention of Child Sex Trafficking
HNP conducts multi-sector, community, active engagement, educational training to increase awareness of sex trafficking. Our objective is to provide safeguards for vulnerable persons and foster an interactive, multi-disciplinary, anti-trafficking community through outreach to neighborhoods, prevention program in schools, first-responders, service providers, lawmakers, faith based communities, and the population at large.
Children and adolescents in today’s world face many challenges including the oversexualization of girls and overdependence on the internet and social media. These are factors that contribute to increased vulnerability of a youth being targeted, groomed, and victimized for commercial sexual exploitation. Prevention education can reduce risk factors by raising awareness of warning signs, red flags, and tactics used by traffickers to lure unsuspecting youth.
Individuals Reached Through Awareness Events and Education
The issue of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) must be addressed from a community perspective. HNP conducts presentations, sponsors events and participates in community events in collaboration with partners. Through these events, trainings, and community presentations, HNP reaches an average of 2500+ kids annually. HNP community awareness and advocacy messages reach thousands.
Formalizing the Prevention Education Program.
In 2017, HNP took its education program to a new level through the design and implementation of the Prevention Education Presentation v1.0. This presentation was designed for students and is adaptable to use for age ranges from middle school to college. Version 1.0 covers the following topics:
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What is CSEC
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Vulnerabilities, Risk Factors, and Warning Signs (Red Flags)
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Protecting Yourself on Social Media
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The link from Pornography to Sex Trafficking
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Why it Happens in Hawai`i
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Resources and How to Get Help
Recruiting a Teen Review Board
Popular (teen) opinion matters! It was important for HNP to hear the voices of pre-teens and teens throughout the process of building v1.0. Through the critique of a diverse teen review board (and some parents), HNP was able to design a presentation that delivered the message in a meaningful and age-appropriate way. In fact, the idea for the Student Resource Card came from the review board and is now given out to all students at all presentations. In 2016, 2057 middle school to college aged students in 10 schools and in 2017, 1888 middle school to college aged students in ~19 schools or venues were reached.
First Student Review Board May 2017
Middle School Prevention Education Program Presentation Dec 2017
Volunteer Education Advocates Training
Well trained and vetted volunteers are key to the sustainability of the education program. 28 dedicated volunteers on Oahu and Hawai`i Island have completed HNP’s training to become Education Advocates. These volunteers with a passion for education and the issue of CSEC undergo a vetting process and receive 18 hours of initial training followed by quarterly workshops.
Volunteer Education Advocates O`ahu June 2017
Community Awareness Events
HNP has been raising awareness and increasing community involvement around the issue of underage sex trafficking through community awareness events, e.g., Human Trafficking Awareness Walk & Fair; Good Deeds Day; Make A Difference Day; educational presentations to youth, young adults and the community at large; Volunteer Orientation & Advocate Trainings (VOAT), Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Trainings, Train the Trainer as well as many community outreach events.
Human Trafficking Awareness Walk & Fair Jan 2017Interns at HNP
Interns have made significant contributions to the work at HNP since 2016.HNP is grateful for all the wonderful students that have been a part of the HNP family from the following schools:
- UH West O`ahu
- Corban University
- Biola University
- Kamehameha Schools Kapili `Oihana Internship Program
- Chapman University
- University of North Georgia
- UH Manoa
- Kamehameha Schools Kapalama
These students were from UH West O`ahu, Corban University as well as Biola University. In 2017 HNP partnered for the first time with Kamehameha Schools Kapili `Oihana Internship Program becoming a site host for student interns.
Teacher Feedback:
The Education Presentation on Sex Trafficking of Minors was highly effective at Dole Middle School. The presentations allowed for a safe avenue for dialogue to take place on this subject. We were able to identify and red flag several students per grade level for increased monitoring in regards to this subject. We were also able to use this as a jumping off point for discussions amongst staff and students on this subject. We hope that we continue to have a partnership with Ho’ola Na Pua to better service our community.
–Kara Nakashima
Dole Intermediate School
Department Chair Social Studies
Volunteer Feedback:
As retired San Jose Police Lt assigned to Domestic Violence-Child Abuse-Threat Management Bureau of the Family Violence Unit, I was responsible in part for the community-educational outreach in collaboration with community based partners addressing these issues. This also included child exploitation. From my professional experience, I know that community education is a key component not only in educating the public, but possibly allowing victims to self-identify with what is happening in their or others’ lives as a criminal situation and then to reach out for help.
As an Educational Advocate for Ho’ola Na Pua, I have personally seen the positive impact our educational outreach has had in the schools. The response to our presentations has been overwhelmingly positive, with requests for additional presentations. The potential for community outreach and the expansion of the mission of Hoʻōla Nā Pua is limited only by the financial resources available to them.
– Ernie Kong, Volunteer Education Advocate
Be part of the solution! It’s with the dedication of our supporters that we are able to advance education, awareness, and action to provide restoration for children rescued from sexual exploitation. Whether you want to volunteer your time, voice, or resources, we’ve made it easy find a way to get involved with Hoʻōla Nā Pua.
You can help victims of sex trafficking. Donations to Hoʻōla Nā Pua support Health, Education, Advocacy and Reintegration, which includes our Starfish mentorship program and sustains ongoing operating and Pearl Haven site development costs. Our Federal ID number (EIN) is 46-5139164. Your gift may be 100% deductible from your taxable income.
