BeAlert® is the awareness and prevention strategy of The Stop Trafficking Project®. The primary method of implementation is through high-impact, fast-paced, and evidence-based presentations designed to educate and empower students and guide adults from awareness to action. The BeAlert® Strategy challenges, inspires, educates, and empowers individuals, organizations, and communities to engage by BEING ALERT = BeAlert® and be: Active. Learning. Empowered. Relentless. Together!
Since March 2015:
presented to over 53,000 students
Based on student surveys for grades 5-12:
32% are engaged in activities online that make them vulnerable to being exploited
62% of those students indicated they will not engage in those activities again after experiencing a BeAlert® presentation
56% have viewed pornography
presented to over 65,000 adults in a variety of settings
general awareness
conferences
churches
businesses
professional training: faith community, school personnel, legislators, counselors, medical professionals, and law enforcement
Designed for Students: Educate and Empower
BeAlert® to Social Media We expose vulnerabilities (loneliness, isolation, depression, suicide ideation, cyberbullying, loneliness, sexting, sextortion, pornography, slavery, pimps, traffickers, spotters, domestic minor sex trafficking) that are easily exploited in students via social media and gaming. These often lead to exploitation that include sexual exploitation and domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST).
Students are educated about this reality and empowered to be safe and keep others safe. The most effective school presentations are the high energy assembly style format heavily dependent on good audio and visual support. A dual track presentation is successful in many settings where caring adults receive training in the same facility simultaneously with the students. At the end of these "dual track’ presentations the students and adults gather for a closing session designed to keep everyone on the same page. All students fill out confidential surveys that provide insight into this reality.
BeAlert®to Pornography We uncover the truth about pornography. Students are educated on the dangerous and progressive nature of pornography and empowered to thrive in healthy relationships. The presentation style is similar to that of the social media presentations.
Designed for Adults: Awareness to Action
Caring Adults We offer encouraging reality checks by discussing the reality of DMST in the local community, unpacking the role of social media, discussing apps to be aware of, and providing practical help that can be applied in a variety of settings.
Churches
Sunday morning worship
Dual track presentations
Small groups
Coaching for leaders
Schools
Professional development day training for school personnel
Parent night before student presentations
Community efforts spearheaded by schools
Businesses
Bring awareness and best practice solutions
Provide partnership ideas
Offer creative collaboration efforts
Legislators
Encourage sponsorship of laws that help combat DMST and sex trafficking