Survival Sex Workshop
2020 Dreams Survival Sex workshops help schools and young people’s institutions to raise awareness about survival sex so that young people can better protect themselves from exploitation.
Distinct from but often overlapping with prostitution, survival sex is engaging in sexual activity in return for the provision of basic needs, either physical (shelter, clothing, food, drink, etc.) or psychological (e.g. alcohol and drugs).
Why do Young People Engage in Survival Sex?
We all need certain essentials to survive and stay healthy. It is easy to take shelter, food, drink and even clothing for granted but what would happen if we had neither money nor the means to make money?
For children and teenagers living on the streets, their bodies often become their only form of currency and there are plenty of criminals ready to exploit this fact. Often, the process of exploitation is gradual.
What may begin with sex in order to secure a roof or something to eat often escalates into prostitution with young people forced to engage in sexual activity with other people in exchange for money.
In this way, the boundaries between human trafficking, survival sex and prostitution become blurred. Many victims will have previously experienced sexual abuse in the family home prior to running away. For these young people, the risk of repeating these patterns with people they meet on the street is even greater.
In all cases, children and teenagers are the victims and society needs to take preventative measures. Schools have a huge role to play, particularly where pupils may be vulnerable to abuse at home and at risk of running away.
Teaching About Survival Sex in PSHE Lessons
The government expect schools to equip children with a ‘sound understanding of risk,’ through PSHE education. In addition, the statutory guidelines for sex and relationship education say that this education must include, ‘learning how to recognise and avoid exploitation and abuse.’
With runaway children most at risk of sexual exploitation (a third of female runaways and half of the males engaged in survival sex in a US study), it is vital that schools meet government expectations and, when providing sex and relationship education, follow the statutory guidance.
Talking about a sensitive subject such as survival sex may not be easy or comfortable for teachers. This is one key reason why many schools decide to outsource this area of PSHE education to experienced and skilled organisations such as 2020 Dreams.
The statutory guidelines for sex and relationship education in schools also advises on how children should be protected from inappropriate teaching materials (including materials that might promote sexual activity). All 2020 Dreams workshops are designed to provide this protection.
What Happens in a 2020 Dreams Survival Sex Workshop?
Part of our Sex and Relationships (SRE) programme, the 2020 Dreams Survival Sex workshop provides engaging, age-appropriate education designed to raise awareness of the dangers of exploitation and to encourage children and teenagers to make healthy choices.
Our experienced facilitators make use of proven techniques such as scenario-based role-playing and open forum debates to challenge and stimulate participants while providing them with a safe environment. Although role plays will encourage children to think and make decisions, the material is carefully chosen so as not to cause distress or discomfort.
All workshops are risk assessed and designed to be enjoyable. They can be customised to fit in with particular topic areas or to address issues that specifically affect your school or institution. We can provide workshops anywhere in the UK and all facilitators are DBS-checked.
To book or find out more about workshop content, please either send us an email to hello@2020dreams.org.uk or call us on 0800 4714983.
