WORKSHOPS

Demanding the Change: Reviving Activism in our Work
Social activism is not only possible, it is central to ending the sexual abuse and exploitation of children and sexual violence throughout the lifespan. Demand the Change (DC) and Demand the Change for Children (DCC), initiatives led by MNCASA with support from the Ms Foundation and MN Dept of Health are examples of vital collaborations with multiple community partners designed to tap into the need for action, broad-based mobilization, and making prevention a priority on the agendas of the public and policy makers. The workshop includes a description of the project including an examination of collaborative policy agenda building, use of solution based stories to inspire partners, and engaging voices of experience to build the momentum for social change.


Bringing Activism Into Our Work - Activism is a foundational strategy in prevention yet just talking about activism makes many people uncomfortable. When an issue or problem becomes a service or industry, it’s tempting to become comfortable in just doing what is in front of us and settled in to doing things right, sometimes at the expense of doing the right thing.  Addressing who is profiting at whose expense, the sexual toxicity in the environment and what we each of us can do are all parts of this presentation which is designed to stimulate dialogue and creative thinking related to engaging individuals and organizations in the business of social change. Click here to see more.

Demand the Change, Change of Heart: Prevention Action - This new prevention initiative is to mobilize communities for action around a collective “it” that individuals and organizations to join a movement for social change.   This workshop provides information on the research behind MN Coalition Against Sexual Assault's  (MNCASA) initiative and related efforts that led to it including a MN Summit and a series or round tables with a wide variety of  industries and professions. The component of Demand the Change helps to identify specific actions and the Change of Heart focuses both on the how – using the arts and the value of reaching for change of heart. The workshop includes tools, activities and examples of various ways to adapt the initiative. Into your work and to help mobilize your community for prevention. Demand the Change

The Impact of Pornography on Children and Youth - This session defines pornography and child pornography in ways that differentiate both from the general category of ‘sexually explicit materials.’ The training highlights numerous studies that show the impact of pornography on children youth and culture. It outlines ways the impact has escalated with changing content and through the reach of technology. Several different strategies to combat the harm are also identified.The training outlines why addressing pornography is important in efforts to prevent child sexual abuse & exploitation as well as all sexual violence. It explains various ways pornography and the pornified culture hurt sexual and relational health, rather than helping. Click here to see handouts.

Countering Normalization of Sexual Harm: A Key Component in Prevention (alternative titles available) Additional References
Definitions of normalization, sexually toxic society, compliant victimization, and exploitation are combined with multiple examples from a variety of venues, studies that show the impact. Special attention is paid to broad based social change & prevention strategies across the spectrum of prevention. Click here to see more.

From Dr. Seuss to Porn - (Similar to the ‘Countering Normalization Presentation but geared more for parents/community) The session examines the normalization of many sexually harmful images and messages and outlines the importance of seeing  whats hidden in front of our eyes. Several ways to counter the trends and to address the impact of the  pornified culture with youth and families are included. Click here to see more.

Pornography: It’s Impact and Why It Matters to Promotion of Sexual Health and Prevention of Child Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Violence  - (Similar to the session on the impact on children/youth,  but with more attention to pornography politics/debates & professional/work impact) This session explores debates and findings about the impact of pornography. The industry and ‘sex sells’ norm is challenged and attention is paid to the impact from changing content and access. Rather than blindly accepting that pornography is sex and to be sexy is to be pornified, this session distinguishes between sexuality and the exploitive and degrading commoditization and objectification of sex, women and children. Instead of allowing pornography to define  sexuality or to hijack it, this sessions focus on the need to  reclaim sex and sexuality from the pornified standards. Click here to see more.

Addressing Demand & Preventing Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children -  Most of the attention to date on the commercial sexual exploitation of children has focused on changes needed in laws and on the development of adequate services to help children after they seek help or are rescued.  This session focuses on supporting these needs while also paying attention to change the social norms and practices that feed demand. Examples of prevention strategies are included. Click here to see more.

Bystanders: You Made It My Business When Effectively engaging bystanders of all ages, to stand up rather than stand by, begins by changing the norms that prevent people from getting involved. This workshop includes several tools to change norms, engage bystanders and create healthier and safer environments to help prevent various acts of harm. Click here to see powerpoint.