Lesson Descriptions
ETG addresses the nine most common forms of psychological coercion victims of commercial sexual exploitation experience.
First we learn The Game, then we learn how to End The Game.
There are 4 parts to every lesson:
Learn
Learn about coercion and how to recognize it.
Reflect
Reflect on the personal impact coercion has had.
Connect
Connect with others who have experienced similar coercion.
Rebuild
Learn how to recover from coercion and rebuild one’s true self.
Lesson 1: Introduction
Students get a warm welcome to Ending The Game and are invited to participate at their own pace. They are introduced to ETG Survivor Sister Video, STREAMS of Influence, and (optionally) complete the Pre-Assessment.
Lesson 2: False Promises
THE GAME: Sell The Fairytale * ENDING THE GAME: Weigh The Reality
Students learn how unmet needs can cause vulnerability and how exploiters can cause victims to believe they provide solutions to these unmet needs. After reflecting upon their unmet needs and previous beliefs about what The Game would provide, students learn a practical method to assess whether or not The Game has met their needs.
Lesson 3: Isolation
THE GAME: Isolate * ENDING THE GAME: Reach Out To My Resources
Students learn how and why exploiters cause physical, mental, and emotional isolation. After reflecting upon ways they have felt isolated, students are encouraged to do one or more suggested activities to foster reconnection.
Lesson 4: Dissociation
THE GAME: Plug The Response Wheel * ENDING THE GAME: Notice The Plugs
Students learn basic psychology principles regarding human response processes. After practical examples and role play, students learn how exploiters can manipulate these natural response processes. Upon considering how their responses to sexual exploitation have changed over time, students then learn and practice a tool to identify changes in their responses to sexual exploitation.
Lesson 5: Self-Defeating Thoughts
THE GAME: Repeat Degrading Thoughts * ENDING THE GAME: Choose Healthy Thoughts
Students learn how thoughts can impact behavior and learn to differentiate degrading from healthy thoughts. Students also identify and examine personal thoughts that contribute to sexual exploitation. Lastly, students learn strategies to avoid degrading thoughts and enjoy the benefits of healthy thoughts.
Lesson 6: Emotional Intensity
THE GAME: Emotional Intensity * ENDING THE GAME: Trade Intensity for Intimacy
Students learn how exploiters cause emotional high and lows as a method of coercion. After reflecting upon their emotional health in The Game, students learn strategies to embrace healthier emotional balance.
Lesson 7: Self-Defeating Behavior
THE GAME: Set Up Destructive Behavior * ENDING THE GAME: Create and Choose Better Options
Students learn to identify coercive behavior modification techniques. After reflecting upon the impact of coercion in their behavior “choices”, students learn how to create and choose healthier behavior options.
Lesson 8: Identity Disturbance
THE GAME: Build A Product * ENDING THE GAME: Build A Person
Students learn basic mental health principles concerning identity and identity disturbance. After reflecting upon how their individual identity has been disturbed, students learn and practice strategies to spark recognition and appreciate of their true identity.
Lesson 9: Phobias
THE GAME: Instill Phobias & Negativity * ENDING THE GAME: Faith & Resilience
Students learn the difference between a fear and a phobia and then reflect upon personal phobias that may contribute to their participation in commercial sexual exploitation. After reflecting on the impact of phobias, students will learn strategies to overcome phobias.
Lesson 10: Shame
THE GAME: Shame * ENDING THE GAME: Self-Care & Sisterhood
Students learn the negative impact of shame on personal growth and learn strategies to overcome shame, including self-care, self-compassion and embracing survivorhood.