The Team of Experts Behind the Videos
The Prevention Project was directly inspired by the pre-existing online curriculum and live student presentations developed and delivered by Tiana Sharifi at the Center for Exploitation Education (formerly Exploitation Education Institute).
Authorship
The videos from The Hub were developed and scripted by Tiana Sharifi- the CEO and founder of the Center for Exploitation Education.
Tiana Sharifi’s roles as the expert in this project was to develop the concepts behind each animated video story, to script them, provide instruction on tone of the actors, and write all of the educator facilitator guides.
She wrote the peer safety videos using the questions that we commonly asked by students during her presentations. She then carefully crafted the replies to speak to the psychology behind the vulnerabilities leading to those questions.
The animated scenario videos were based off of disclosures and stories she had received through her work, alongside some creative and fun concepts she had for cartoons.
Her life’s work and personal experiences were the backbone and inspiration behind the materials.
Alexandra Ford , Sara Dillon, Jessica Rogers, and Carol Todd were experts and survivors whose contributions significantly shaped the trauma-informed approach of the materials.
Each was consulted on video concepts, topics, and age group alignment, and provided review and approval on draft scripts.
Notable contributions include Jessica’s reframing of the term “self-exploitation” to “high-risk behaviours,” Sara’s BEAR acronym for the Grade 8–12 Consent and Healthy Boundaries video, Alexandra’s analogy of people wearing costumes for the Grade 3–5 Internet video, and Carol’s expertise as a school district digital literacy educator and founder of the Amanda Todd Legacy.
We are grateful for the insight, lived experience, and expertise each of these consultants brought to the development of these materials.
The Approach
What makes these materials and all of ExEd’s programs different is the depth of our approach, led by Tiana Sharifi.
Our prevention work is rooted in five key principles:
1. Root Cause Education
We address the conditions that allow exploitation to happen—such as isolation, low self-worth, family dysfunction, digital manipulation, and systemic inequality.
2. Psychological Literacy
Our scripts help youth understand power, manipulation, and coercion. We teach how and why exploitation happens, not just what it looks like.
3. A Culture of Consent
Consent isn’t a one-time lesson- it’s a cultural value. We encourage youth to internalize consent as a daily practice rooted in respect, empathy, and mutual awareness.
4. Addressing Demand and Perpetration
People are not born exploiters and true prevention is not grounded in focusing solely on how people can protect themselves from victimization. We place an equal focus on educating young boys to reject harmful social messages that lead to purchasing women and children, and normalizing gender violence.
5. Empathy and Critical Thinking
We humanize victims and deconstruct harmful norms without judgment. This creates space for both survivors and those at risk of harming others to reflect and grow.
6. Digital Relevance
Because…well…we live in a digital world!
Funding provided by Ally Global Foundation.
Animations/ production executed by Veto Creative Agency.
What You Can Do Next
Learn more about the Center for Exploitation Education.
Your generosity will help us sustain The Prevention Hub and support the creation of new resources!
Bring this level of expertise to your organization or help us create more resources.