Host A Screening Party Thank you for raising awareness on behalf of GEMS! Below are a few suggestions you may want to consider when hosting your screening party. We have enclosed some useful resources to distribute to your guests. In this packet you will find:
Guide for Host Before Your Party Visit http://www.gems-girls.org/ to learn more about our mission. Invite your community to the screening: • • • • • • •
Colleagues Partner Organizations Friends Family Members Local Community Organizations in Your Area Local Council Members Churches
Don’t be afraid to ask for contributions! Your friends will appreciate your appeal for a good cause. GEMS is dedicated to helping you host the best event for the Very Young Girls documentary. How Can I Fundraise? Suggest a minimum amount and use a range of options ($100, $50, $25, $10, other). Pass out individual donation cards, an empty envelope or leave a basket in the middle of the room for donations. Direct your guests to our website to learn more about GEMS and to make a donation online. Have fun and remember every little bit helps!
• • • •
Guide for Host Screening Party Fact Sheet Donation Form Screening Sign In Form
During Your Party Ask Discussion Questions! 1. Describe a particular scene or moment in the film you thought was moving or insightful. Why did this specific scene or moment affect you? 2. After watching the film, why do you think it is important to use the term “commercially sexually exploited child”? 3. What was your perception of the pimp culture before and after viewing Very Young Girls? 4. If you could ask one person in the film a question, who would it be and what would you ask? 5. Brainstorm ways to raise awareness on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and ways to help Girls Educational & Mentoring Services continue to serve young women and girls.
After Your Party Contact bindu@gems-girls.org to request mailing address to submit donation forms and send the complete Screening Sign In Form via e-mail or fax to Attn: Bindu Balan at 212.491.2696
Screening Party Fact Sheet Girls Educational and Mentoring Services (GEMS)
Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) The commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) comprises of sexual abuse by adults and payment in cash or kind to the child or a third person or persons and is a fundamental violation of children’s rights. Commercial sexual exploitation is a contemporary form of slavery of children and consists of practices that are demeaning, degrading and many times life-threatening to children. The child is treated as a commercial and sexual object. CSEC is expressed through multiple forms of prostitution and pornography as well as the sale and trafficking of children for sexual purposes.
CSEC Quick Facts •
•
•
•
•
•
2,200 children are estimated to be victimized by commercial sexual exploitation each year in New York City alone (OCFS Prevalence Study 2007). 100,000–300,000 children are estimated to be at risk for commercial sexual exploitation annually in the United States (Estes and Wiener 2001). The Department of Justice estimates the most frequent age of entry into the commercial sex industry in the United States is 12–14 years old (www.usdoj.gov). The majority of victimized youth have run away from home, or were running away from a foster care home, juvenile detention center, or group home (Estes and Wiener 2001). 70-90% of commercially sexually exploited children have a history of child sexual abuse (Murphy 1993). 1.6 million children run away from home each year in the United States (NISMART).
GEMS, was founded in 1998 by Rachel Lloyd, a woman who had been sexually exploited as a teenager. Ms. Lloyd came to the U.S in 1997 as a missionary to work with adult women exiting the commercial sex industry. While working with adult women in correctional facilities and on the streets, Ms. Lloyd observed the overwhelming need for services for young women at risk for sexual exploitation who were being ignored by traditional social service agencies. It became clear that specialized services were essential for this disenfranchised population. What started as a one-woman kitchen table project has grown to a nationally recognized and acclaimed organization that is one of the largest providers of services to commercially sexually exploited and domestically trafficked youth in the US. GEMS’ mission is to empower girls and young women who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking to exit the commercial sex industry and develop to their full potential. GEMS’ vision is to end the commercial exploitation and trafficking of children. GEMS advocates at the local, state and national level to promote policies that support young women who have been commercially sexually exploited and domestically trafficked.
Make a Difference 1. Recognize examples of pimp culture glorified in the media, music or movies, and acknowledge that this kind of societal acceptance adds to the problem by not buying those products, albums or movie tickets. 2. Change your language around the issue and encourage those around you to do the same. Instead of saying “teen or child prostitute”, recognize them as legitimate victims by using the term, “commercially sexually exploited children and youth” (CSEC). 3. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, and Pinterest, and then share with your friends. Keep up to date with our events, partners, and news. 4. Volunteer to host your birthday party in honor of GEMS or a book group featuring Girls Like Us. To learn more about how you can host an event or screening go online to: http://www.gems-girls.org/get-involved. 5. Donate $10 to GEMS so we can continue to advocate for New York’s young women and girls both in the legislature and in their everyday lives. 6. Text “GEMS” to 85944 to donate $10. Once you receive a reply text, reply “YES” to confirm your donation.
Girls Educational & Mentoring Services Please contact Bindu Balan at bindu@gems-girls.org for mailing address to submit completed donation forms I would like to make a contribution to GEMS in the amount of: □ $150 □ $75 □ $50 □ $10 □ $_______ □ I have enclosed a check. (Please make check payable to GEMS) □ I would like to pay via credit card: (Choose one) AMEX Visa MasterCard □ I would like to make monthly/quarterly/yearly recurring payments via credit card! (Circle One)
Organization: _______________________________________ Address (required): ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________
Name on Card: _________________________________________
Phone (required): ________________________________________
Card Number: _________________________________________
E-Mail (required): ________________________________________ □ I would like to be added to your mailing list. □ I would like to attend/host a screening.
Expiration Date: _______/_______ Vin Number (required): ________
Comments: _________________________________________
Name: _______________________________________
_________________________________________
Girls Educational & Mentoring Services Please contact Bindu Balan at bindu@gems-girls.org for mailing address to submit completed donation forms I would like to make a contribution to GEMS in the amount of: □ $150 □ $75 □ $50 □ $10 □ $_______ □ I have enclosed a check. (Please make check payable to GEMS) □ I would like to pay via credit card: (Choose one) AMEX Visa MasterCard □ I would like to make monthly/quarterly/yearly recurring payments via credit card! (Circle One)
Organization: _______________________________________ Address (required): ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________
Name on Card: _________________________________________
Phone (required): ________________________________________
Card Number: _________________________________________
E-Mail (required): ________________________________________ □ I would like to be added to your mailing list. □ I would like to attend/host a screening.
Expiration Date: _______/_______ Vin Number (required): ________
Comments: _________________________________________
Name: _______________________________________
_________________________________________
Address
City
State, Zip
***This Screening Sign In Form must be returned to GEMS in order to receive a free copy of “Very Young Girls� and other GEMS Goodies*** Please send the completed Screening Sign In Form via email to bindu@gems-girls.org or fax to Attn: Bindu Balan at 212.491.2696
Name
Screening Sign In Form Add to Mailing List?