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To Report Suspected Child Abuse in the District of Columbia, call: Para Reportar Sospechas de Abuso Infantil en el Distrito de Columbia, llame al: 1-202-671-SAFE (7233) |
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Prevention
We must all acknowledge the problem of sexual abuse and work together to create safe communities for children. Children should be given tools of prevention including age-appropriate information about child abuse, a desire to protect themselves, and the power to tell the truth to adults. Communication between adults and children is crucial—both to give and to receive important information. Children need accurate terms for sex and genitalia so they have a basic vocabulary to describe their experiences. They also need to understand their body parts are special so they will have a reason to protect them. Try to avoid scare tactics or words like “bad” when talking to children about sexuality. These approaches may encourage guilt and secrecy, conditions where abuse can thrive, and can hinder healthy sexual development. Prevention efforts should reinforce positive affection and attention while encouraging child competence.
Stewards of Children is a revolutionary, interactive, evidence-based child sexual abuse prevention training program developed by Darkness to Light, a national child sexual abuse prevention organization. Stewards of Children educates adults to take simple, proactive steps to protect children from sexual abuse, including how to prevent, recognize and react responsibly.
The core features of the Stewards of Children training are:
- A video integrating segments of sexual abuse survivors relating their stories of violation and healing, with segments from the author of the curriculum and from professionals who interface daily with the problem of sexual abuse.
- An interactive workbook for each participant.
- Discussion about critical issues in sexual abuse prevention and the relevance of these issues within organizations that serve children and adolescents, led by an authorized facilitator.
- Lists of community resources.
If your organization or agency (i.e. youth-serving, faith-based, school, camp, etc.) is interested in receiving the Stewards of Children training, please contact Safe Shores' training coordinator Jessica Galimore at (202) 645-3207 or stewardsofchildren@safeshores.org.
Upcoming Training Dates:
TBA
To learn more about the Stewards of Children training curriculum, visit the Darkness to Light website.
