Being a safe adult means that a child can trust you to be there for them when they need help. We often talk about what it means to be a safe adult when a child discloses abuse to you. In fact, this is a critical part of the fifth step of the 5 Steps to …
This April, we’re encouraging you to take things One Day at a Time. Protecting kids doesn’t have to be a big haul or an overwhelming process—in fact, there are protective measures we can take that can come as easy as taking a deep breath. The month of April is going to be a unique one: …
Spending a lot of time at home with your kids? Looking for a fun and healthy activities to do together? Try the “What If” Game! The “What If?” Game is a great way to pose possible situations to kids that they may face in life and would need to solve. As a parent or caregiver, it’s …
During this unusual time, you have had to completely change the way you teach. Your lesson plans, activities, and discussions look very different than they did just a few weeks ago. As you tread through this new space, it’s important to remember that in your physical classroom environment you have classroom rules and your school …
We have all felt the impact of the Coronavirus in our lives, but none more than the victim of abuse who may be quarantined with their abuser. As a survivor of child sexual abuse, I know what it feels like to live with a perpetrator, and I know how important any time away from home …
When you commit to creating a safe, protective environment for your athletes, you create a place where they can grow and excel. So, how do you take it to the next level? Be informed about child abuse, be aware of your environment, and be prepared to respond to concerns. Know the appropriate steps to take …
Communication is key to coaching and teamwork. You communicate with other coaches, staff, athletes and their parents every day in your facility. But how do you converse with them? A big part of preventing abuse is open, honest communication. When dialogue is encouraged among coaches, athletes, and parents, it makes it harder for an offender …
From all of us at the Darkness to Light office, we hope you are staying safe and protected from COVID-19. The impact of the coronavirus is being felt across the world, and we know it may be difficult to maintain your normal child protective steps while adapting to the ever-changing environment. Your child’s school has …
Let’s face it. Coaching can be complicated. As a coach, you’re a mix of coach, parent, educator, and motivator. You see the promise in your athletes, pushing them to achieve things they might not have thought possible. Celebrating their successes and counseling them through short-comings, you develop a close personal relationship with the athletes you …
Cheer and dance stunts are activities that require incredible skill and dedication. Athletes perform intense, backbreaking routines that the average person could never accomplish. From extensions to liberty to air tosses, the result can be breathtaking. Just like a flyer relies on the support of their bases’ hands as they prepare to lift, personal boundaries …
As a coach, you are a big part of your athlete’s lives. Competitive sports are demanding but rewarding, and you see your athletes through a lot. Kids need to know that they are valued and believed in, so your role as a coach is crucial. Because one in 10 children will be sexually abused before …
It’s the moment many parents dread: your teenager has been asked out on their first date. You may feel like they’re too young (let’s be honest, you think anything younger than 30 years old is too young) but they are over the moon to be going out with their crush. This is uncharted territory for …
The idea of Darkness to Light was born and carefully cultivated long before its registration as a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Over 25 years ago, a child sexual abuse crisis came to light and stirred up Charleston, SC. A small but passionate group of citizens came together and wondered why services were only available after a child …
The winter holidays are some of the most anticipated days of the year for kids and adults alike. There can be a certain kind of magic about this time of year… and chaos, too. Visitors abound, schedules are hectic, parents might be overwhelmed, and in the wrong situation, abusers take advantage. In fact, rates of …
Child sexual abuse is a complex issue. You’ve probably heard a lot of headlines in the news recently about child sexual abuse even though it may be referred to as ‘molestation,’ ‘assault,’ or ‘rape.’ For a topic that is beginning to be talked about more openly, you may not know what words and language to …
According to the New York Times, tech companies reported over 45 million online photos and videos of children being sexually abused in 2018 – more than double what they found the previous year. For parents, caregivers, and concerned citizens, headlines like this can be overwhelming and disheartening. How can this be the case? And how …
As an educator or staff member, you know how vital school experiences are for kids and how it leads to many positive growth opportunities. The student’s safety is your number one priority – so how can you make sure they are safe within the school’s walls and also convey that message to the children in …
Darkness to Light announces more than 1.8 million adults trained to prevent child sexual abuse. In February of 2019 we reached an amazing milestone: we trained 1.7 million adults to prevent child sexual abuse! We were thrilled. However, this wasn’t enough for our Authorized Facilitators and Instructors. Through their dedication and partnership, 100,000 more adults …
As we approach the end of the year, our team has been reflecting on the amazing things we’ve achieved in collaboration with our partners – from surpassing 1.8 million adults trained to launching our new prevention paradigm. We continue to push forward to help better protect children and as we look forward to 2020, we …
Aly Raisman joined Darkness to Light’s third annual IGNITE Conference as a keynote speaker. BOSTON – October 28, 2019 – Aly Raisman, abuse prevention advocate and Darkness to Light Ambassador, appeared as a keynote speaker at IGNITE 2019 on October 8th and 9th, 2019 at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel and Conference Center in Massachusetts. IGNITE …
From all of us at the Darkness to Light office, we hope you are staying safe and protected from COVID-19. Our staff is working 100% remotely. While phones will be forwarded, the easiest way to contact us at this time is emailing. To find the best person to reach out to, please visit our contact page. The impact of the coronavirus is being felt across the world, and we know it may be difficult to maintain your normal child protective steps while adapting to the ever-changing environment. Here are some protective steps you can still take to keep your child as safe as possible. Stay safe & healthy!