Be Responsible For Preventing Abuse
Learn 7 steps you can take to prevent child sexual abuse. The Penn State incident has brought the problem of child sexual abuse to all of our attention. Statistics show that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused before turning 18, and sadly, less than 1 in 10 of these children will ever tell anyone. More than 90% of the abusers are people the children know, love or trust. Let’s use this media attention and awareness to empower ourselves to take on the responsibility of preventing these horrible abuses in our families and communities.
It is our responsibility and duty to learn the sign of abuse as well as offender traits in order to prevent any harm to our children. There are several organizations like Darkness to Light, which offer training for adults across the country. Attend one of these trainings or at the least, go to their website and download their 16 page guide which explains the 7 Steps To Protecting Our Children. Another great website is StopItNow.org which offers tips on spotting behaviors to watch for when adults are with children as well as many other resources in preventing abuse.
Here are the Darkness to Light Seven Steps
Step 1. Learn the facts. Understand the risks.
Realities – not trusts – should influence your decisions regarding children
Step 2. Minimize opportunity.
If you eliminate or reduce one-adult/one-child situations, you’ll dramatically lower the risk of sexual abuse for children.
Step 3. Talk about it.
Children often keep abuse secret, but barriers can be broken down by talking openly about it.
Step 4. Stay alert.
Don’t expect obvious signs when a child is being sexually abused.
Step 5. Make a plan.
Learn where to go, whom to call and how to react.
Step 6. Act on suspicions.
The future well-being of a child is at stake.
Step 7. Get involved.
Volunteer and financially support organizations that fight the tragedy of child sexual abuse.
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