TO: FROM: SUBJECT: DATE:

KATIE CAHILL, LOCAL RESIDENT ELAINE YANG, PR OF GIRLS EDUCATION & SUPPORT SERVICES (GESS) UPCOMING CONVOCATION IN ADRESSING AWARENESS AGAISNT WOMEN TRAFFIKING IN THE US MAY 25, 2013 AWARENESS AGAISNT WOMEN TRAFFIKING IN THE US

OBJECTIVE(S) The objective of this memo is to prevent the continuation of women trafficking within the US. According to ECPAT USA (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes) the average age of entry into street prostitution is between girls who are 12 to 14 years old and in some cases as young as 9 years old. The purpose of this convocation is to educate the community of individuals consisting of parents and young adults in hopes of generating an awareness of human trafficking activity that is present in society, in finding a solution to prevent this kind of practice from further happening to our society of young women. AUDIENCE The target audience for this convocation is the community of locals especially, educators, mentors, school administrators, parents, young adults, and teenagers. This specific audience was chosen because statistics show that the average age of girls who are sexually exploited are 14 years old (Womens Funding Network 2013). Many of them were lured into the trade through Internet chat room sites. Our community of young girls needs to be educated and supervised by their parents, teachers, and mentors about the dangers that lurk outside of their home. It is important for schools and administration to advocate to young individuals to cultivate themselves and grow into community leaders and activist that aim to make the world a better place. Sexual exploitation of the female body should never be an option for a girl to claim her status in society or an alternative for not being able to accomplish their goals in life. MESSAGE The key points of the message: Sexual exploitation is falsely advocated in the media and has moved from the streets to the virtual worlds of the Internet that further shrouds this activity as a problem present in the public eye. Young girls are often falsely blamed for sexual exploitation as if it was their choice, but in reality they are the ones who are being victimized by pimps and the public eye that label them as prostitutes and whores. Commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking continues to operate at an underground level that is masked by the high level of shame.

STRATEGIES AND TACTICS In order to curb the problem, school administrators and teachers should form an afterschool program that will help encourage girls to grow in the right path. These programs should be interest based and age group focused, that will teach girls to hone in their talents and shape leadership skills. There should also be afterschool workshops that serve to help girls with their academics as well as teach them to adore the person they are. School counselors should always be available to help out a student if she is troubled in any aspect of her life. Girls who drop out of high school are at risk for being sexually exploited for commercial gain. They are also more likely to become pregnant, creating an additional economic challenge for the young mother and risking perpetuation of the cycle of poverty for the child (National Women Law Center). As the duty of caring parents, it is important to teach them the consequences of certain actions. Parents must establish a firm bond with their children that lets them feel secure and trusting. Parents need to be able to reason with their children and avoid the path of harsh discipline if they misbehave. These strategies will be effective in providing the girls with a voice so that do not feel the need to stray to other methods or bad influences during their developing years of self-identity. TASKS Educate and bring to awareness the dangers of the Internet chat rooms and the false messages media portray by inviting fellow guest speakers to GESS convocation events. Spread awareness by contacting local journalists to feature GESS in an article. This will bring exposure to our organization and what we stand for. Engage through our social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up to date with us as well as future pending events. Partner up with local womens rights activist and bring this problem to the law enforcement; encouraging them to further in their efforts to track down local trafficking and alleviate their threat to women and children in society.

CLOSING Commercial exploitation or trafficking of children has been an issue that has garnered very little attention. Estimates reveal that 200,000 children are trafficked within the United States, with majority being women who are used for commercial sex and exploitation (Womens Funding Network). We at GESS seek to end such disparity from further expanding into this generation of children and young adults. We wish to encourage the involvement of the school administrators, teachers, parents, and mentors to stand up and show their support by advocating that every girl has a voice in society. We aim to promote and encourage the development of a strong bond of trust and security that will usher these girls to fulfill great things in life. WORD COUNT: 877 words

REFERENCES "Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Girls in the U.S." Women's Funding Network. Women's Funding Network, n.d. Web. 25 May 2013. <http://www.womensfundingnetwork.org/impact/csec-in-the-us-issue>. Frundt, Tina. "Enslaved in America: Sex Trafficking in the United States." Women's Funding Network. Women's Funding Network, n.d. Web. 25 May 2013. <http://www.womensfundingnetwork.org/resource/past-articles/enslaved-in-america-sextrafficking-in-the-united-states>. "National Women's Law Center." National Women's Law Center. National Women's Law Center, n.d. Web. 25 May 2013. ATTACHMENT

Bracelets of Hope to be given at convocations hosted by GESS