Survivor-Informed
Survivor-informed perspectives helped shape the curriculum's narratives, language, and approach to prevention.
LIGHTS Prevention Curriculum
Helping young people recognize risk before harm escalates.
- LIGHTS is a survivor-informed prevention curriculum for young people ages 11–18. Through age-appropriate, narrative-based learning, students explore how exploitation can develop, recognize common manipulation and grooming tactics, and identify where to turn when something feels unsafe.
.jpg?width=584&height=438&name=Image%20(8).jpg "LIGHTS demonstration")
What Young People Learn Through LIGHTS
- How grooming and manipulation can develop
- How online contact and social media can be used to exploit trust
- How to recognize warning signs in relationships and other interactions
- How vulnerability can be targeted
- Where to turn for help or talk with a trusted adult
What Changes Through LIGHTS
LIGHTS is designed to increase what young people understand about trafficking, exploitation, and the situations that can increase risk.
Evaluation results show measurable gains in knowledge:
98%
of participants could accurately define human trafficking.
96%
understood how traffickers manipulate and groom young people.
85%
could identify warning signs of manipulation in relationships.
Those gains matter because recognition can shape what a young person notices, questions, and communicates when something does not feel right.
How LIGHTS Is Designed
LIGHTS combines survivor-informed expertise, narrative learning, age-appropriate content, and practical prevention education.
Narrative-Based
Stories help young people examine realistic situations, relationships, and decisions rather than learning through definitions alone.
Age-Appropriate
LIGHTS is designed for ages 11–18, with content that can be adapted for different youth settings and age groups.
Practical
Young people learn how to recognize risk, identify concerning dynamics, and understand where support may be available.
Designed for Schools and Youth-Serving Organizations
LIGHTS can be implemented by schools, districts, and youth-serving organizations looking for a structured approach to trafficking and exploitation prevention education.
LIGHTS can be used as part of:
🔹Student safety and prevention initiatives🔹Health and wellness education
🔹Youth leadership and development programs
🔹Community-based youth programming
Pair LIGHTS With Adult Training
Young people benefit when the adults around them understand the same risks, language, and warning signs.
UNITY Prevention can pair LIGHTS with professional development for educators, staff, caregivers, and youth-serving professionals so adults are better prepared to recognize concerns and respond appropriately.
🔹Training for educators and staff
🔹Parent and caregiver education
🔹Guidance on warning signs and response
🔹Support for stronger organizational protocols
Recognition and Partnerships
LIGHTS received a 2022 Gold Anthem Award for its prevention education strategy. The curriculum has been implemented through partnerships with schools, districts, and community organizations, including the New York City Department of Education and Washington, DC Public Schools.
That work reflects years of curriculum development, survivor-informed input, professional expertise, and collaboration with organizations responsible for supporting young people.
Who LIGHTS is for:
Schools and Districts
Middle schools, high schools, districts, and other education partners looking for structured prevention education for young people.
Youth-Serving Organizations
Nonprofits, after-school programs, mentoring organizations, and other groups working directly with adolescents.
Community & Faith-Based Organizations
Trusted community organizations that provide programming, guidance, or support to young people and families.
Public & Youth-Serving Systems
Child welfare, juvenile justice, diversion, and other systems serving young people who may face increased vulnerability to exploitation.
What age group is LIGHTS designed for?
LIGHTS is designed for young people ages 11–18. Content can be adapted based on age, setting, and the needs of the participating group.
Is LIGHTS only for schools?
No. LIGHTS can also be used by youth-serving nonprofits, community and faith-based organizations, and other programs that work directly with young people.
Does LIGHTS use fear-based content?
No. LIGHTS focuses on understanding how exploitation can develop, recognizing warning signs, and knowing where to seek support. Content is designed to be age-appropriate and grounded in realistic situations rather than graphic or fear-based material.
Can staff be trained to deliver LIGHTS?
Yes. Depending on the partnership and implementation model, UNITY Prevention can train select staff to facilitate LIGHTS with young people. Contact our team to discuss what model may be appropriate for your organization.
.jpg?width=1500&height=2000&name=Image%20(22).jpg "Image (22)")