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Breaking The Chains

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Lesson Plan

Breaking The Chains Lesson Plan

Students will explore the reality of human trafficking, identify warning signs and risk factors, and develop prevention strategies. By the end, they’ll analyze case studies, participate in discussions, and complete a quiz to demonstrate understanding and application.

Human trafficking is a global human rights violation that can affect anyone. Raising awareness empowers students to recognize exploitation, protect themselves and peers, and advocate for vulnerable populations.

Audience

9th and 10th Grade Students

Time

30–45 minutes

Approach

Interactive slides, case studies, group discussion, and quiz.

Materials

Prep

Review Materials

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction and Standards Connection

7 minutes

  • Display lesson objectives on first slide.
  • Define human trafficking: exploitation through force, fraud, or coercion.
  • Connect to National Health Education Standards:
    • NHES Standard 1: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
    • NHES Standard 8: Advocacy for Personal, Family, and Community Health
  • Show impactful slide with current statistics to engage students.

Step 2

Case Study Analysis

10 minutes

  • Divide class into small groups.
  • Provide each group a case study scenario illustrating potential trafficking.
  • Ask groups to identify warning signs and risk factors.
  • Circulate to support groups, offering graphic organizers for students with reading challenges.
  • English learners: refer to glossary of key terms.

Step 3

Group Discussion

10 minutes

  • Reconvene as a class.
  • Use Breaking The Chains Discussion Prompts to guide conversation:
    • What made the victim vulnerable?
    • How could intervention have changed the outcome?
  • Encourage students to share thoughts and ask questions.
  • For students needing support, allow oral or written responses as preferred.

Step 4

Quiz Assessment

5 minutes

  • Distribute Breaking The Chains Quiz.
  • Students complete individually to assess understanding.
  • Provide extended time or alternative format for students with accommodations.
  • Collect quizzes for immediate review.

Step 5

Reflection and Closure

3 minutes

  • Invite volunteers to share one key takeaway.
  • Summarize prevention strategies: personal safety planning, recognizing red flags, reporting resources.
  • Share contact info for school counselor and national trafficking hotline.
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Slide Deck

Breaking The Chains: Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention

Empowering Students to Recognize and Prevent Exploitation

Welcome the class and introduce the lesson topic. Explain that today we’ll explore human trafficking, its warning signs, and how to protect ourselves and others.

Lesson Objectives

  • Define human trafficking and its key elements (force, fraud, coercion)
  • Review current statistics to understand the scope of the problem
  • Analyze a real-world case study to spot warning signs
  • Identify prevention strategies and reporting resources
  • Discuss and reflect on how to stay safe and support others

Read each objective aloud and clarify any unfamiliar terms. Emphasize that these goals guide today’s activities.

What Is Human Trafficking?

Human trafficking is the exploitation of people through force, fraud, or coercion for labor, sexual exploitation, or other purposes.

Key elements:

  • Force: physical violence or threats
  • Fraud: false promises of jobs or opportunities
  • Coercion: psychological manipulation or debt bondage

Present the formal definition and illustrate with an example. Stress that it can happen anywhere—to anyone.

Human Trafficking by the Numbers

  • Globally, 25 million people are in forced labor or sexual exploitation
  • Approximately 1 in 4 victims is a child
  • 44% of detected victims in the U.S. are U.S. citizens
  • Only 1 in 100 victims is ever identified

Highlight each statistic, asking students to react. Mention sources like the U.S. Department of State and Polaris Project.

Case Study: Sarah’s Story

Sarah, a 16-year-old, was promised a modeling job in another state. Upon arrival, her passport was taken and she was forced to work late nights under threat of deportation.

Group Task:

  • Identify the red flags in Sarah’s situation
  • List the risk factors that made her vulnerable

Introduce Sarah’s scenario. Then divide students into groups and hand out the case study worksheet.

Recognizing the Warning Signs

  • Sudden change in friends, behavior, or appearance
  • Restricted communication or lack of control over personal documents
  • Signs of fear, anxiety, or submission
  • Working long hours without breaks or pay
  • Unexplained injuries or signs of physical restraint

Go through each warning sign; invite examples from students. Connect signs back to Sarah’s story.

Prevention Strategies

  • Personal safety planning: share itineraries and set check-in times
  • Build trusted networks: identify safe adults and peer groups
  • Critical thinking about online offers and too-good-to-be-true promises
  • Know your rights: work permits, contracts, and official identification
  • Practice saying “no” and setting boundaries

Explain how prevention strategies can be practiced at home, online, and in the community.

Reporting and Support Resources

  • National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 (24/7)
  • School Counselor: [Insert Name & Contact]
  • Polaris Project Website: https://polarisproject.org
  • Local law enforcement and child protective services

Point out contact options and encourage students to save or memorize these resources.

Discussion Prompts

  1. What factors made Sarah vulnerable to exploitation?
  2. How could you or someone you know intervene safely?
  3. What barriers might victims face when seeking help?

Display prompts and guide students through a respectful discussion. Ensure all voices can be heard.

Reflection and Next Steps

  • Share one key insight or action you’ll take
  • Review personal safety tips and red flags
  • Remind students of available support and reporting channels
  • Encourage ongoing vigilance and advocacy

Invite volunteers to share their biggest takeaway. Summarize the lesson and next steps.

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Quiz

Breaking The Chains Quiz

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Discussion

Discussion: Breaking The Chains

Guidelines for a Respectful Conversation

  • Listen actively and allow others to finish speaking before you respond.
  • Speak respectfully; avoid blaming or shaming language.
  • Use evidence from the case study (Sarah’s story) and slides to support your ideas.
  • Everyone’s experience and ideas are valid—encourage quieter voices to share.

Discussion Prompts

  1. What factors made Sarah vulnerable to exploitation?






    Follow-up questions:
    • Consider her age, isolation, and the promise of a modeling job—how did each contribute?
    • How do “too-good-to-be-true” offers online or through social media increase risk?
  2. How could someone intervene safely if they recognized warning signs?






    Follow-up questions:
    • What trusted adults, peers, or community resources could they contact?
    • What are safe ways to gather more information without alerting a trafficker?
  3. What barriers might victims face when seeking help, and how can we address them?






    Follow-up questions:
    • Think about language, legal status, fear of retaliation, or lack of knowledge.
    • How can schools, families, and communities reduce those barriers?

Refer to Breaking The Chains Slide Deck as needed for definitions, statistics, and prevention strategies.

After discussing, we’ll consolidate key takeaways and action steps for personal safety and peer support.

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