Ending Demand – Raising Healthy Boys
Cherish All Children’s mission to prevent child exploitation means we need to look at the root causes and have open conversations in our communities to address these issues.
How we raise our boys and young men can play a significant role in ending the demand for commercial exploitation.
Your church or community can engage men in being part of the solution — opening conversations, hosting events or connecting with organizations that offer tools and resources.
Organizations Working to Create a Healthy Environment of Masculinity
Men As Peacemakers (MAP) is building safe communities through programs that address and undermine the root causes of violence against women and children. MAP is at the forefront of a movement to promote end violence against women and children.
Check out their educational resources for your community to gain a deeper understanding of the harm caused by exploitation and empower men to be a part of the solution.
Access a 15-20 minute online learning experience you can use to get this conversation started.
A CALL TO MEN is a violence prevention organization and respected leader on issues of manhood, male socialization and its intersection with violence, and preventing violence.
A CALL TO MEN works to promote a healthy and respectful manhood and shift attitudes and behaviors that devalue others.
They work with coaches, youth groups, high schools, colleges, and more to promote healthy, respectful relationships. They offer free LIVERESPECT curriculum for middle school and high school age boys, a college campus curriculum and many more resources.
Watch one of their PSAs to get you motivated to begin. You don't need to be an expert – just get started to make meaningful, safe connections with youth.
Resources to Learn More and Take Action
"The Mask You Live In" A documentary that follows boys and young men as they negotiate society's narrow definition of masculinity, and how we can raise a healthier generation. A part of the Representation Project from director, Jennifer Siebel Newsom. Host a community screening complete with discussion guide.
"Ten Simple Prevention Steps for Men", 2019.
"Ten Ways Men Can Prevent Violence", 2013.
"Bought and Sold: The New Fight Against Teen Trafficking", 2016. Starting at about minute 27:55, there is significant discussion of how to end the demand for trafficking.
"Human Trafficking and Demand" published by the Minnesota Human Trafficking Task Force.
"Mapping the Demand, in the State of Minnesota" published by the University of Minnesota's Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center with funding by the Women's Foundation of Minnesota, 2017. Full Report. Executive Summary.
"The Demand for Trafficking and the Fight to End it" published on the Forbes website on January 27, 2016.
"Voices of Safe Harbor: Survivor and Youth Input for Minnesota's Model Protocol on Exploitation and Trafficking of Youth", 2015. There is a section on "Exploiters and Buyers" starting on page 41.
What the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Says
A Social Message on Commercial Exploitation (2001)
Address the demand for what the system of exploitation offers. One way for congregations to address this issue is to provide safe settings for men, women, and youth to talk about their attitudes toward and struggles with pornography, stripping, and appropriate uses of the Internet... Uncommon as such conversations may be in congregations, they are vital if the baptized are going to find support in the Church to resist our society's ready acceptance of these practices. The Church Council urges congregations and men's, women's, and youth organizations to be pioneers in creating possibilities for this discussion to occur. (pg. 8)
ELCA Social Statement (2019)
“We believe all people are created equally in the image of God. Every individual is dependent upon God, and all share in the God-given vocation to contribute their gifts to help all of creation flourish.” (pg. 2)
“We believe God provides resources within the Christian faith and the Lutheran tradition to challenge the harmful beliefs and effects of patriarchy and to bring forth new ways of living.” (pg. 4)