MY LIFE MY CHOICE
PREVENTION CURRICULUM
The first of its kind in the country.
The My Life My Choice Curriculum was the first comprehensive exploitation prevention curriculum in the nation. Our nationally acclaimed, evidence-based curriculum equips young people who are disproportionately vulnerable with the tools and knowledge needed to protect themselves from exploiters. It is designed to meet the needs of adolescents between the ages of 12-18 and is most effective when used with those assigned female at birth or who identify as female.
It is never the responsibility of a young person to prevent their own exploitation, however, research shows that the right tools can help reduce their risk.
Evidence-Based and Rigorously Evaluated
Prevention works. The My Life My Choice Evaluation Study was a longitudinal, multi-site evaluation funded by the National Institute of Justice and conducted by researchers from the Boston University School of Public Health and the Northeastern School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. 354 youth participated in the evaluation across Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida over three years.
This is the first comprehensive exploitation prevention curriculum rigorously evaluated with evidence of decreased risk of commercial sexual exploitation.
How the curriculum was created
From its inception, this curriculum was grounded in the authentic experiences of survivors. The Curriculum was co-written by a survivor, and throughout its development, individuals with lived experience were interviewed and their perspectives and input shaped the content. Our Prevention Curriculum was piloted at a residential program for adolescent girls in early 2003 and feedback from these sessions was incorporated. It is now regularly reviewed and updated in collaboration with survivors to ensure that it reflects current and emerging trends.
What the curriculum covers
This curriculum is grounded in the public health understanding that comprehensive effective prevention must shift attitude, knowledge, and skills. Each session includes a variety of activities, including icebreakers, discussions, role plays, hands-on activities, as well as more introspective opportunities including journaling. Sessions address issues including myths and facts about commercial sexual exploitation, how to identify an exploiter, recruitment tactics, trust, substance abuse, self-esteem, sexual health, healthy relationships, and local and national resources to support youth at risk of exploitation.
Session Objectives
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Understand the purpose, content, and structure of the program
Describe the guiding principles they are responsible for adhering to while in the program
Understand the key facts related to CSEC and dispel common myths.
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Identify the signs of and common recruiting used by exploiters
Understand the realities of day-to-day life of victims of CSEC and identify the feelings associated with being a victim
Name the vulnerabilities and circumstances that put the participants at greatest risk
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Define trust and what it means in an intimate relationship
Identify the warning signs that a person might not be trustworthy
Explain the range of relationships, including health versus exploitive relationships.
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Understand the risks to personal safety associated with CSEC
Understand the damaging origins of the demand for exploited youth
Assess their ability to advocate for themselves and identify the link between assertiveness and reducing their risk of exploitation
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Identify the links between substance use and CSEC
Describe the physical, emotional, and mental impact of commonly used drugs
Assess their own use of substances and describe the process of addiction and opportunities for recovery
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Identify the links between low self-esteem and CSEC
Understand the tactics used and messages delivered by the mass media that influence their concept of self
Describe specific strategies to combat these messages and take care of themselves
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Identify the risks to one’s sexual health
Identify their own values associated with sexuality
Identify the risks to their sexual health associated with CSEC
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Hear first-hand from survivors of CSEC
Understand further the process by which someone could become exploited
Describe the specific strategies someone could use to exit the commercial sex trade
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Identify concrete resources to assist youth in avoiding or exiting CSEC
Describe concrete strategies for avoiding or escaping exploitation
Identify one trustworthy adult who they could go to for help
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Identify what they have learned during the previous nine sessions and reflect on their personal growth since Session 1.
Bring the Curriculum to your community
We are excited and committed to working with you to bring this effective curriculum to the young people you serve.To bring the curriculum to your community, you must attend our Prevention Curriculum Training held by a My Life My Choice trainer. The Curriculum must be run by two facilitators, so your agency should send at least two to the training. Best practice is for groups to be co-facilitated by one person with advanced clinical training and one who identifies as a survivor of commercial sexual exploitation who can disclose this to the group, however, if you are unable to find a co-facilitator with lived experience, you can still run these groups and be very impactful. Survivor voices are embedded in the Curriculum and we will help you deliver the Curriculum effectively even if you are unable to have a survivor present. The rapport that has previously been established with the young people in your program is the largest indicator for success.
There is an application process and a pre-requisite CSEC training (attendance at the My Life My Choice CSEC 101: Understanding and Responding or the equivalent training in your state).
What facilitators receive
Two-day training with our experienced trainers to equip you with the tools necessary to effectively impact the knowledge, behaviors, and understanding of the youth under your care
Membership to our online community which provides ongoing support and contact with other facilitators across the country
Prevention Curriculum book and digital
access to curriculum resources
An understanding of the prevailing trends related to commercial sexual exploitation of children
Data collection tools and
customized reports
Continued support, consultation, and technical assistance from My Life My Choice staff
FAQs
Who is the intended audience for the curriculum?
The My Life My Choice Curriculum was specifically designed to meet the needs of adolescents between the ages of 12 to 18 and is most effective when used with those assigned female at birth or who identify as female. We recognize that some youth, regardless of their sex assigned at birth, may identify across a continuum, and this curriculum is impactful for all youth who identify in any way other than cisgender male.
Where do My Life My Choice Prevention groups take place?
Groups may be facilitated anywhere youth can attend consistently: this includes congregate care settings, middle and high schools, juvenile justice facilities, child welfare offices, and community-based programs.
Do I need to identify as female to run prevention groups?
It is important for facilitators to understand how their gender identity and presentation may impact the youth in a group. Youth may have a preference and we advise that you take the youths’ preferences and psychological safety into consideration when planning groups. The rapport that has previously been established with youth is the largest indicator for success. The groups are meant to provide a safe space for youth to talk about their experiences, and so the relationship between the facilitators and youth is critical.
Can I run these groups out of my church ministry or other faith-based center?
The Curriculum is a secular curriculum and is designed to be used in congregate care settings, middle and high schools, child welfare offices, juvenile justice facilities and community-based agencies. It is not permissible to incorporate faith-based practices into the curriculum, however, it can be used by faith-based programs as part of their youth ministry or other work.
What is required of facilitators once trained?
As part of training, facilitators must take a post-evaluation to receive their certificate of completion. Once trained, we require facilitators and their Agency Administrator to agree to the terms outlined in the My Life My Choice Certified Facilitator Agreement. Before running each group, facilitators must request a Group ID.
I am interested in bringing the curriculum to my community, is there a way I can facilitate a group that is shorter than ten weeks or has less than six youth?
My Life My Choice is committed to working closely with our certified facilitators and will assist in modifying the curriculum to meet your specific program’s needs. We provide multiple options including shortening the length and number of sessions. While the ideal number of youths to have participating in the program is a minimum of six, we understand this can be difficult to achieve. Providing the curriculum even in a smaller group is still impactful. If you are having trouble implementing the curriculum, please contact the My Life My Choice Prevention team for assistance.
Get in touch.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our Prevention Curriculum, please email mlmcprevention@jri.org
Join the fight.
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