Protecting Children from the Unthinkable
Important Role We Play in Preventing Child Sexual Abuse
Children are our greatest Treasure!
As adults, we are solely responsible for the safety of our children. Children can’t always protect themselves, but we as adults can – by creating prevention policies, recognizing signs of sexual abuse, confronting and stopping abuse when it occurs.
Consequences of Child Sexual Abuse:
- 50% of sexually abused children suffer trauma that follows them as an adult (PTSD, ADHD & more).
- 3 times more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol.
- 2 times more likely to drop out of school.
- 50% have reported having suicidal thoughts and 20% have attempted suicide.
- Eating disorders, Anxiety, and Self-inflicted harm.
- Crime (59% Juveniles, 14% men and 36% women in prison have history of child sexual abuse)
- Greater healthcare use (obesity, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, stroke and heart problems).
The Facts are Startling:
- 1 in 10 children are sexually abused before their 18th birthday.
- 93% are victimized by someone they know and trust.
- 35% of child victims are 11 years old or younger.
- 40% of abusers are older or larger youth.
- 50% of women in prison state have history of child sexual abuse.
- An estimated 60% of first teen pregnancies are preceded by experiences of molestation or rape.
- 73% of children don’t tell about their abuse.There are an estimated 42 million survivors of in US.
- The annual cost of child sexual abuse in US is $35 billion. The average lifetime cost per victim is $210,000.
What is Darkness To Light “Stewards of Children®”?
Darkness to Light is a Charleston based non-profit organization with the sole mission of preventing child sexual abuse and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC). They developed their first revolutionary prevention training, Stewards of Children® to protect children against the most prevalent health problem children face, with the most serious array of consequences.. It is the only adult focused, evidence-based curriculum that has proven over time to increase knowledge, change attitudes about child sexual abuse and change behaviors that promote protective measures. In the facilitator-led training, you will meet survivors who share their experience of immediate and long term effects and ultimately were able to find healing.
You will also meet experts in education and law enforcement who teach the Five Steps to Protecting Our Children:
- Learn the Facts about childhood sexual abuse helps prevent it. Talking about it helps prevent it. Getting involved helps prevent it. 1 out of 10 children will be sexually abused before they turn 18. The truth is, someone you know has been impacted.
- Minimize Opportunity. Decrease the risk by eliminating or reducing isolated one-on-one situations.
- Talk About It. Have age appropriate, open conversation about our bodies, sex and boundaries.
- Recognize the Signs. Don’t expect obvious signs of abuse. Signs are often there, but you have to know what to look for and often in most unexpected places.
- React Responsibly. Understand how to react to risky behavior, boundary violations, or suspicions and when and how to make a report.
What are People Saying about our training?
“During my tenure of more than 20 years as an employee of Henry County Schools, I have seen firsthand the devastating impact sexual abuse has on the lives of our children. As a father, educator and concerned citizen, we must all work together to bring an end to this devastation. The only way to combat an epidemic of this magnitude is to educate the masses. Now in my new role as superintendent, I have the ability and influence to support such change. To that end, when I was presented with the opportunity to provide Stewards of Children® to our entire school system, I made this a significant priority.”
–Rodney Bowler, Former Henry County School Superintendent“This seminar is great! It really does a thorough job of heightening parents’ consciousness about child safety and gives concrete steps that parents can take to reduce the risk.”
“The Stewards program helped my agency develop a solid child protection policy.”
“The best program we could have had for our parks and recreation department.”