Have you ever witnessed or experienced exploitation? While your initial response to that question may be an unequivocal ‘no,’ consider this: Have you ever seen someone being bullied, or been bullied yourself? Observed someone taking advantage of another person’s vulnerabilities, for his or her own gain? If you answered yes to either of these scenarios, you are not a stranger to exploitation.

It’s an issue that knows no boundaries, and impacts the lives of people around the globe. The young child living in a country six time zones away from you, the family you crossed paths with on vacation three years ago, and the elderly person who lives just two doors down. Anyone, and everyone, is at risk of being exploited.

One of the most severe forms of exploitation, and one that is growing at an alarming rate is human trafficking, explains Candace Joice, Education Manager with iEmpathize, one of the organizations BolderLife is partnering with for the Human Trafficking Program, which is part of this year’s Educational and Student Programming.

As part of iEmpathize’s participation in the Student Program, the group will be presenting its Empower Youth Program, which is aimed at equipping students with the awareness, tools and support needed in navigating vulnerability and staying safe from any form of exploitation, Joice said.

“The Empower Youth Program is about empowerment, and empathy is at the heart of it,” Joice added.

Through the Empower Youth Program students encounter peer-led prevention discussions, authentic exploration of empathy versus apathy and sympathy within society, and demonstrations of an active and empathetic response to, and prevention of the many facets of exploitation. In the three years iEmapthize has been facilitating its Empower Youth Program, organizers have witnessed youth engaging in life-changing and empathy-affirming practices, and utilizing the actionable tools they learn to make a difference not only in their lives, but the lives of others, Joice explained.

View a sample clip of iEmpathize’s Empower Youth Program…

During the BolderLife Student Program: Cultivating Empathy through Stories of Human Trafficking, students will experience iEmpathize’s Empower Youth Program, view a series of short films, engage in empowering group activities and hear from inspiring speakers.

“We’re just thrilled that we and BolderLife have discovered each other, and are coming together to create something that has the very real ability to change lives,” Joice said.

There is still time for individual students and student groups to register for the BolderLife Student Program. Find out more>>>

In addition to the Student Program, the iEmpathize team will also be part of the panel discussion during the Human Trafficking Program of the Festival’s Educational Programming. The Human Trafficking Program, which is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 18, will include the panel discussion, hosted by Alexis Newton from the organization “Free the Girls,” and feature members of the Denver Police Department, City Attorney’s office, Denver City Service Community members, as well as members of non-profit organizations involved in the fight against human and sex trafficking.

The program also includes the screening of the narrative feature film “Im Schatten der Fremde,” which addresses the reality of women, from impoverished countries, lured away with false promises of a better life, only to end up in the hands of traffickers and suffer exploitation at the most extreme levels. Local painter and photographer Keri Mills will also present pieces of her “Meat-Not For Sale” campaign against Human Trafficking, which is part of this year’s BolderLife Fine Art Program, while dancers C.B. Younger and Hannah Finch will perform a dance piece inspired by the lost, vulnerable people who are victims of abuse everywhere. Tickets for the Human Trafficking Program are available now.