Program 02

JohnSchoolPBC

Very few strategies address both supply and demand in sex trafficking. A John School is one of them, and we have run Palm Beach County's since 2021.

What is a John School?

JohnSchoolPBC is a diversion program for individuals arrested on misdemeanor charges for either purchasing or selling commercial sex in Palm Beach County. Separate classes are offered for buyers and for sellers, so both demand and supply are addressed.

Completing the class, along with recent STI testing and payment of court fees, removes the charge from the participant's record. Buyers pay tuition. Sellers are scholarshipped. That tuition is a genuine funding stream for the rest of our work, which means the demand side helps pay to serve the supply side. Classes run in English and in Spanish.

Each course is a six hour workshop, limited to ten participants, built in three sections.

TAPS: the buyers' class ReSPECT: the sellers' class

Looking for the current class schedule? Call 561-386-0031 or email Becky@LightHousePBC.org and we will send it over.

For buyers

TAPS

Training reducing Abuse, Prostitution and Solicitation

Health consequences. A 60 minute lecture from a nurse practitioner on sexually transmitted infections, long term health consequences and treatment problems.
Facts vs. Myths of Prostitution. Ten common myths debunked, presented by a survivor alongside a licensed mental health counselor. Draws the line between pornography, prostitution and trafficking.
Group therapy. Sexual addiction, compulsions, triggers and relapse prevention. Then male socialization: objectification, entitlement, and what healthy respectful manhood actually looks like.

Full TAPS outline

For sellers

ReSPECT

Reframing Solicitation and Prostitution, Education, Coaching & Training

Health consequences. The same 60 minute session from a nurse practitioner.
The Lies I Believed That Kept Me There. A survivor who got out explores the lies that held her, and how force, fraud and coercion played into her story. A counselor presents alongside her on trauma, family of origin dynamics and dissociation.
Group therapy. Vulnerability, self-worth, and then going forward: what resources exist for addiction, counseling, safe houses, shelters, case management and training toward marketable skills.

Full ReSPECT outline

What actually happens in the room

The results have surprised us

On the buyers' side, we have had several men who were also social influencers. The class impacted them enough that they said they would begin advocating against commercial sex. One came up to Justin, the therapist who runs the buyers' group therapy, in tears, asking how he could protect his 13 year old daughter. Several men have been in tears considering the impact of their actions on the women selling themselves. No shame, just contrition over their choices and the damage done.

The buyers' feedback papers have been overwhelmingly positive, thankful for the training, with high marks across the sections.

On the sellers' side, by the afternoon group sessions they have been undone by the kindness, dignity and affirmation they are given. Shocked that there is no shame and no condemnation, and earnestly talking about what it would look like to change their lives.

Every single class has had one woman who wanted out. We stay in contact with them, and with the ones still hesitating to take the risk. At the very least they now know support and resources exist for them when they are ready.

What we are pushing for next

A felony diversion track. Since we took over John School training, 25% of the 146 seller arrests have been felony charges. We have offered to partner with the State Attorney's office: the offender completes drug rehab, transfers to a sober house, and we assume therapeutic services once rehab ends. If they walk, we report it and the original charges and sentencing are reinstated. This alone could significantly cut the number of women being prostituted on our streets.
John School on probation orders. Florida law now requires it once a woman is out of jail. It has not been implemented here yet. We are pressing the judges.

Registering for a class, or referring someone?

Call the office and we will walk you through dates, cost and what to bring.

Call 561-386-0031 Email us