This organization is a registered student organization of Cornell University.
Students Against the Sexual Solicitation of Youth (SASSY) is a student-run program of the Einhorn Center and works to raise awareness of the prevalent issue of the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) in the United States. Sexual exploitation occurs in some of the biggest American cities, and between 100,000 - 300,000 children experience CSEC in the U.S. each year. Our goal is to educate the Cornell campus about this reality, and we do so by organizing a variety of educational awareness workshops, panel discussions, tabling events, movie screenings, and more.
SASSY was founded in 2009 after a group of students visited the Girls Educational & Mentoring Services (GEMS) agency through Alternative Breaks. GEMS, founded by Rachel Lloyd - a survivor of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, works to empower women and children from the ages of 12 to 24 in the United States who have experienced CSEC. Through cultural change, advocacy, training, and survivor leadership, GEMS is committed to shifting public perception and policy.
To raise awareness of the increasing prevalence of the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) and support community agencies, SASSY has established the Student Anti-Sex Trafficking Alliance (SASTA) in an educational partnership with the Southern Tier Human Trafficking Task Force. Through this reciprocal relationship (connection), the Southern Tier Human Trafficking Task Force will gain access to student volunteers interested in CSEC and who want to participate in anti-trafficking initiatives. Additionally, students will gain access to educational resources and materials from the Task Force, which can be implemented on their own. By collaborating with colleges, universities, and the Southern Tier Human Trafficking Task Force, SASSY aims to expand the conversation surrounding CSEC and foster connections between like-minded groups dedicated to service.
This organization is a registered student organization of Cornell University.