CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION

The statistics on the sexual abuse of children are staggering. Some estimates place the incidence as high as 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused before their 18th birthday (Aust. Institute of Criminology, 1993).  As parents, teachers and community members, what can we do to ensure both our children and children we come in contact with are protected, informed and safe? These 4 key points are crucial.

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In an article written by Jayneen Sanders she tells parents, schools, and community members how to protect children from the dangers of sexual abuse. 

                        To read the full article and educate yourself on how you can help protect the children around you. 

With all of the parent responsibilities to juggle, what can parents do to make certain their young athlete is safe and thriving in the sports and coaching environment? Read the article in the link below to learn how to ensure your child’s boundaries are respected in an athletic setting.

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                         to learn more about Keeping Your Athlete Safe

Maybe you have a suspicion that a child is being abused based on something you’ve witnessed, or a child has told you that abuse is happening. Either way, it’s your responsibility to report it to the authorities.

Learn how to report suspected abuse 

Educating children about the importance of personal boundaries—and empowering them to speak out when they feel violated—is essential to healthy youth development. Yet, the topic of boundaries is one that many adults shy away from.  Addressing child sexual abuse may be uncomfortable, but the truth is, it’s a too-common crime that we must constantly protect against.  Statistics reveal one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused by the age of 18; and about 90 percent of sexual offenders are someone the child knows, including family members and acquaintances.  The more we educate ourselves and youth about the red flags associated with child sexual abuse, the better prepared we are to prevent it. One easy but important way we can do this is by helping youth understand their personal boundaries.