New Research has been released from the University of New Hampshire, analyzing data from youth across the country who received Love146’s Not a Number curriculum. This study examines pre- and post-test data for over 10,000 youth. While it does not include a randomized control group (we’re in the midst of that evaluation now!), the findings reveal key insights. After completing the Not a Number curriculum, youth showed significant growth in understanding trafficking, healthy relationships, and the importance of having a safety plan. However, the hardest change to achieve through the curriculum was youth’s willingness to seek help in risky or exploitative situations.
Why Do Some Youth Seek Help, and Others Don’t?
The data gives us valuable insights into the beliefs and perceptions that influence each youth’s sense of safety and willingness to reach out. One way to understand these differences in help-seeking behavior is through what’s called the Health Belief Model. In simple terms, this model suggests that people’s actions are shaped by their personal beliefs about health and safety. Whether a young person decides to seek help depends on several factors, such as…
- How serious they think the situation is
- Whether they believe help is available and will work for them
- The barriers they feel might stop them from asking for help
- How confident they feel in their ability to get support
In this study, we saw disparities in which youth felt more able to ask for help, with some youth feeling more empowered to reach out than others:
- Female youth found it easier to seek help than male youth, who found it easier than trans youth.
- Urban youth found it easier to seek help than rural youth.
- School-based youth found it easier to seek help than youth in juvenile justice settings.
- White youth found it easier to seek help than Black youth, who found it easier than Latino youth.
- Younger youth found it easier to seek help than older youth.
- Higher-income youth found it easier to seek help than lower-income youth.
Why Do These Disparities Exist?
These disparities in help-seeking may stem from various factors; for example, services are often more sparse in rural areas. These differences likely also reflect the personal beliefs and perceived barriers that each youth faces when it comes to seeking help. What we see in the data is, for example, that a young white girl from an urban setting might feel more confident reaching out because resources are accessible and her environment encourages help-seeking. Meanwhile, an older Latino trans youth in a rural area may feel more barriers, such as limited resources, potential judgment, and a lack of safe, affirming spaces.
A youth’s confidence, or self-efficacy, also plays a role. Youth in a school setting may feel more empowered to seek help than those in juvenile justice, who might fear stigma or distrust of authority figures.
Creating a Culture of Safety and Belief for All Youth
If we truly believe that every child deserves to feel safe, we must consider how to address the specific beliefs and barriers that might stand in the way of some youth from seeking support. Through our Not a Number curriculum, Love146 aims to help young people from a multitude of backgrounds feel more confident and equipped to get help. By understanding each youth’s unique perspective, we can work to create safer, more accessible pathways to support.
But what can we do as a society? Recognizing these disparities in help-seeking reminds us that each youth’s experience is shaped by their environment, experiences, and beliefs about safety. It’s a call to action for us all: We need to build communities that provide resources, and empower every young person to have reason to believe that finding help is possible, welcomed, and effective. We need to go beyond stereotypes of who “deserves” support and foster a culture where every child, regardless of background or circumstance, knows that help is within reach.
Reflecting and Taking Action
Let’s look within and ask ourselves: How can we reduce these barriers for every child? How can we ensure that every child feels safe and supported when they need it most? By actively challenging our own perceptions and biases, we can help close these gaps, and build a future where every young person feels truly seen, valued, and empowered to get the support they need.
