June 5, 2018

A wave of sexual harassment and assault allegations has washed over media headlines these past eight months. As survivors raise their voices, many adults grapple with how to explain these situations to young people. The Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE) prevention workshops have helped guide youth conversations about harmful sexual behaviors for over a decade and, in this moment, their expertise is especially critical.

CAASE prevention workshops (which cover consent, healthy relationships, gender constructs, power dynamics of sexual exploitation, interrupting sexual harm and how to get help) empower students to end sexual harm. Over the past school year, CAASE staff noticed student participants were more aware of, engaged in, and willing to discuss sexual violation than in years past. In anonymous written feedback, CAASE saw an increase in students reflecting on their own experiences with sexual harm compared to previous years. Their “MeToo” stories described violations that had happened to them or to a friend. Many youth participants were also inspired to write about the challenges they face in having healthy relationships in today’s society and what they can do to change it. For example, one wrote, “I will approach dating with respect and I will make sure that everything is consensual”.

It’s impossible to credit the uptick in student reflections on these issues to any one factor. But, it’s also impossible to ignore that this shift in student feedback is happening within a cultural sea change sparked by the #MeToo movement. Students are speaking up more than ever. They are seeking answers and ways to be part of the solution. But students aren’t the only ones being empowered.

Many teachers confided in CAASE staff, saying they felt ill-equipped to dig deeper into conversations around harmful sexual behavior with students. They worried it was a topic too big to tackle so they avoided it. After CAASE provided students with educational workshops on sexual harm, teachers expressed feeling more confident in addressing sexual harassment and unpacking headlines with their pupils. Seeing CAASE engage students on tough topics set an example for the adults regularly in students’ lives. Teachers’ willingness and preparedness to have these conversations is invaluable.

The 2017-18 school year was unique; it was steeped in a culture having new conversations about sexual harassment and the meaning of gender equality. As a result, students engaged with issues of sexual harm and healthy relationships more deeply this year. We hope for more of the same next year.

CAASE offers a variety of workshops, including content on consent, healthy masculinity, sex trafficking, and pimping. All are available for free to schools and programs that work with teens. Each workshop is designed to meet a group’s individual needs. They are available in 45-, 60-, or 90-minute versions and can be implemented with groups as small as 10 and as large as 200. Interested groups should email info@caase.org or call 773-244-2230 for more information.