SPARK began as a response to The Report of the APA Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls and its call for grassroots mobilizing around the clear and present danger that sexualization poses to girls and young women. The Report clarified the difference between healthy sexuality and sexual objectification.

Healthy Sexuality

• is a developmental task we all have to integrate into our lives
• allows for intimacy and is linked to positive feelings

Sexualization

• uses girls’ and women’s bodies as a marketing tool and a ratings grabber
• is linked to depression, low-self-esteem and eating disorders

SPARK was designed to engage girls as part of the solution rather than to protect them from the problem. A day of workshops and action spots gave girls the tools they needed to become activists, organizers, researchers, policy influencers, and media makers.

SPARK is now turning its attention to growing our coalition of local and national partner organizations. We’re committed to working together to challenge the sexualization of girls by supporting one another and coordinating our actions on-the-ground and online.

For SPARK, it’s all about coalition! It is our best chance to effect lasting change. If you have an organization with a SPARK-related mission or activities to share, partner with us. If you have a film, project, curriculum, or research findings, let us help you spread the word.  If there’s a related action, petition, or girlcott, we’ll promote it.  To get involved, please contact SPARK director Dana Edell at SPARKsummit@gmail.com