The world is harder for girls than it has ever been. Data released in 2023 from the CDC revealed that nearly 60% of high school girls reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless, 30% have seriously considered suicide, and 20% experienced sexual violence. While these statistics are alarming, there is increased concern when taken into consideration with vulnerabilities associated with exploitation. Research shows that when girls have low self-confidence, decreased connection and support, and lack of access to accurate information, they are at an increased risk for exploitation. The CDC findings are a signal that precise attention be paid to the health, safety, education, and empowerment of girls. Calls for programs, interventions, and efforts that increase girls’ connection to school, sense of belonging, and coping skills have made clear the necessity of programs and organizations like Ruling Our eXperiences, Inc. (ROX). ROX is the national leader in programming, research, and education focused on girls. Their mission is to create generations of confident girls who control their own relationships, experiences, decisions, and futures. ROX uses the best practices in research to implement evidence-based empowerment programming in schools, conduct large-scale national research, and educate the community on the issues impacting girls. This presentation will highlight the ROX 20-week evidence-based program which is delivered in schools across 33 states with girls in grades 5-12. Attendees will gain an understanding of the skills, competencies, and support needed to reduce vulnerabilities and will leave with specific strategies for protecting and empowering girls.
Lauren Morosky is the Manager of Content Development & Community Programs for Ruling Our eXperiences (ROX), the national non-profit authority on girls. She is a licensed school counselor and girl expert who regularly delivers trainings and workshops focused on ROX research and best-practices for supporting and empowering girls.