Lauren

Youth Prevention Advocate, Cleveland, OH

“I really liked the idea of helping people and being involved with something that is unique for kids my age,” says Lauren about Cleveland Rape Crisis Center’s (CRCC) new Youth 360 program.

Lauren’s guidance counselor at Saint Joseph Academy told her about Youth 360, a monthly leadership and activist training program for teens. Participants use what they learn about social justice to educate others about sexual violence.

Through Youth 360, Lauren was exposed to a broad spectrum of issues, including the realities of sexual assault, media influence on body image, racism, sexism, and societal stereotypes.

“I have learned so much that I was unaware of before coming into this program. From the topics that we have talked about in our group, I now know how important it is to stand up for yourself. I can share this information with my friends, and hopefully it will help them stand up for themselves,” she added.

Youth 360 inspired Lauren and her fellow St. Joseph classmate Caroline to start an empowerment program called SAVE (Sexual Assault and Violence Education) at their school. The group will be focused on helping freshmen girls begin high school.

“In our Youth 360 sessions we talked a lot about the role of women in society, how they are viewed, and how they are (negatively) portrayed in the media, and we want to change that,” said Lauren. “Starting with high school freshmen is a great opportunity to do that.”

She and Caroline are excited to start the club next school year, but acknowledged that it is not easy.

“It’s challenging to learn about the reality of rape, hearing stories and the statistics, but now we can do something with what we have learned, and it’s important to take what we have learned and do something with it,” she said. “I want to be a part of changing the future.”

Youth 360 has helped Lauren gain the knowledge and confidence she needed to take a stance on this issue and empower her peers to not only to begin a conversation about sexual assault, but work to end it.

Please make a donation to Cleveland Rape Crisis Center in honor of Lauren and her fellow Youth 360 classmates.  Your support helps us build a new generation of sexual assault prevention advocates.