Teen Safety
"Safety and security don't just happen; they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear.”
January is dedicated to our annual Teen Safety Campaign & Summit. Wonder Girls is on a mission to raise awareness, educate, and most importantly prevent all forms of violence against women and children including abuse, harassment, domestic violence, teen dating, trafficking, assault, and all crimes.
We are showing our girls, parents, and educators how to recognize red flags and keep themselves safe from harm both online and in everyday situations.
The WONDER GIRLS Teen Safety Summit is an in-person event, designed to equip our girls with the information and resources necessary to maintain their safety and that of their peers, whether online or in everyday life. Through a series of interactive and short workshops, the girls will learn about the importance of being aware of the various forms of crimes commonly committed against women and children (including abuse, harassment, online exploitation, domestic violence, teen dating, trafficking, assault, etc) with a big focus on recognizing warning signs and how to get help. In partnership with The Center for Safety and Change, U.S. Homeland Security, The First Responders Children’s Foundation, and local law enforcement, the girls will receive training on first response techniques, how to interact with law enforcement, online safety, and self-defense.
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AWARENESS
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PREVENTION
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HELP
Awareness | Education: Know the Facts
Globally, an estimated 736 million women—almost one in three—have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their life (30% of women aged 15 and older). This figure does not include sexual harassment. The rates of depression, anxiety disorders, unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and HIV are higher in women who have experienced violence compared to women who have not, as well as many other health problems that can last after the violence has ended.
Most violence against women is perpetrated by someone they know such as a current or former husband or intimate partner. More than 640 million or 26% of women aged 15 and older have been subjected to intimate partner violence.
Of those who have been in a relationship, almost one in four adolescent girls aged 15–19 (24%) has experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner or husband. 16% of young women aged 15 to 24 experienced this violence in the past 12 months
15 million adolescent girls worldwide, aged 15–19 years, have experienced forced sex.
Human trafficking is a global issue that affects 40.3 million victims around the world. 71% of victims are women and girls.
Abusers use false promises, threats, violence, and coercion to manipulate children into a cycle of abuse.
No community, school, socioeconomic group, or student demographic is immune to the threats of abuse, violence, and/or trafficking.
Prevention.
How can teens protect themselves on and offline?
Education is KEY to the prevention of crimes. Learn as much as you can
Be aware of your surroundings
Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help and to use your voice when you feel uncomfortable
Be in tune with your “gut” feelings; if something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't
Travel in packs (with friends) instead of alone
Never go to a party alone
Keep your social media accounts private and block any unwanted messages
Have a secret code word or phrase with friends or family to alert them that you are in a dangerous situation and need help
Use the internationally recognized hand gesture to alert others that you are in a dangerous situation
If a friend confides in you, recognize that they need help and ask an adult or parent for help
How can parents keep their children safe?
Create a home environment and relationship with your teen for open and honest conversations; have those difficult conversations about these important, and real issues.
Always believe your child when they confide in you
Monitor your teen’s online activity and social media accounts; be open and honest with them as to why you are checking in on them
Know who your teens are with and where they are hanging out
Have a secret code word or phrase that your teen can quickly use to alert you when they are in a dangerous situation
Track your teen’s location via phone
Look for physical signs, such as tattoos, bruises, abusive partners, changes in appearance, mood, or attitude
Get immediate help from experts if your teen is in need of help
How can schools get involved?
Strengthen and create healthy relationships between educators and students
Teach social-emotional skills and create a safe school environment
Intentional building of relationships between schools and community
Monitor who comes in and out of school buildings
Provide programs and coordinate expert workshops to educate teens on what is going on in their communities
If a student has or is being abused or trafficked, coordinate with trauma-informed specialists in the community to make sure students are receiving the care they need and follow up on a weekly or monthly basis to check on the student’s progress.
Understand that helping students heal may require coordinating with a wide range of professionals in the community involved in the student’s life, including probation officers, pretrial advocates, child welfare caseworkers, and others.
There is always help.
If you or someone you know is being trafficked or abused, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline—a 24/7, confidential, multilingual hotline for victims, survivors, and witnesses of human trafficking.
1-888-373-7888
help@humantraffickinghotline.org
Text HELP to 233733 (BEFREE)
Online chat: www.humantraffickinghotline.org