AG Biden, DE Community Leaders Launch Prevention Initiative

Attorney General Beau Biden, child advocates, and community leaders in Delaware are on a mission to protect the children of the state from sexual abuse.  On Wednesday, AG Biden unveiled the plan to train 35,000 Delaware adults using D2L’s Stewards of Children in a joint press conference with Rev. Ruth Lawson Kirk of Christ Church in Greenville, YMCA of Delaware President Michael Graves, and Prevent Child Abuse Delaware Executive Director Karen DeRasmo.

“It is not a child’s job to protect him or herself from abuse, it’s our job. This program gives adults the tools and the information we need to protect kids,” said Attorney General Biden. “Everyone in Delaware is a mandatory reporter – we are all obligated to intervene when we see a child in danger, but we don’t always know what to look for. When only one in ten abused children reaches out for help, we know that it falls to the adults to see the signs and make the call.”

Michael Graves, President of YMCA of Delaware, said, “The Y’s three impact focus areas are youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.  The Y believes preventing sexual child abuse is a community social responsibility necessary for healthy youth development.  With 40,000 adult Y members across the state we believe we can help operationalize this evidence based effort to reach the goal of training 35,000 people.  Achieving the goal is not possible without numerous collaborations and partnerships.”

“Prevent Child Abuse Delaware is delighted to be involved with its partners in this important child sexual abuse prevention initiative, “ said Karen DeRasmo, the organization’s Executive Director.  “The Stewards of Children project represents the joint venture of several groups working throughout the state to create safer communities for our children.

D2L is honored to be partnered with AG Biden, the YMCA of Delaware, Prevent Child Abuse Delaware and all those involved in this major statewide effort at putting an end to child sexual abuse for Delaware’s children.

Click here to view the joint press conference.