Our evidence-informed training influences community behavior change. Once certified in Stewards of Children®, adults will take action to protect the children in their lives. Your financial gift is an investment in prevention.
The facts about child sexual abuse can be staggering, but learning them can help us better understand how to protect children.
For instance, we know that over 90% of sexually abused children are abused by someone known by the child or family. This means that “stranger danger” isn’t the biggest risk to children. People they know are.
One-one-one time with trusted adults is healthy and valuable for a child. Ensuring that those opportunities are safe is important as well.
If you eliminate or reduce opportunities for children to be in isolated, one-on-one situations with adults or other youth, you dramatically reduce the risk for abuse.
Children often keep abuse a secret, but barriers can be broken down by talking openly about topics like body safety, sex, and boundaries. One of the best defenses against child sexual abuse is our relationship with children and open, age-appropriate conversations.
Don’t expect obvious signs when a child is being sexually abused. Signs are often there, but you have to know what to look for. Emotional or behavioral signals are more common, and may range from “too perfect” behavior to anger and rebellion.
Disclosure, discovery, and suspicions of sexual abuse provide opportunities to intervene on behalf of a child. Be prepared to react responsibly.
We know that when adults are trained, they take the steps to protect children from sexual abuse.
During our award-winning Stewards of Children® prevention training, you’ll meet survivors who lived through child sexual abuse, experienced its immediate and long-term effects, and ultimately were able to find healing. You’ll meet experts who work with children and families and confront abuse on a daily basis. Lastly, you’ll find concrete steps that you can take to protect the children in your life.
Meet Chris. Even though he doesn’t work with kids directly, Chris still uses his platform to support prevention. He’s a restauranteur, an active community member, and a parent. He understands that he is uniquely positioned to help spread awareness about child sexual abuse in the community and to give back through his restaurant. Watch Chris’ …
Acts of everyday courage that have the power to protect children look different for each of us. What if you’re not a parent? What if you don’t work in a youth serving setting? How can you help protect children? Melissa is a college student at Michigan State University, where the campus has been rocked by …
We are inspired by everyday courage of individuals who, just like you, act to protect children. Recently, we heard a story that reminded us of how powerful this courage can be and of the impact it carries. Emily had just turned sixteen. She was excited to finally become a camp counselor in her community and …
