With help and support we can move forward in resilience. In the past two blog posts, we’ve discussed childhood trauma, what it is, and its impact on children and adults. Thankfully, trauma doesn’t have to be the end. We know if individuals get help and have a support system, they can heal. They are resilient. …
We know that childhood trauma can and does create lifelong health consequences. In our last post, we discussed what adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are and the importance of educating ourselves on this important topic. Now we look at the lasting consequences of ACEs as one of the root causes of prevalent lifelong health issues. The …
As your child gets older, you won’t always be in the room at their doctor’s appointments. Here’s how to help your kid navigate solo at medical visits. Below is an article that originally appeared in Today’s Parent, a publication based in Canada. The article, “7 Ways to Help Kids Feel Comfortable – and safe – …
Think back to a smaller you sitting in your parent’s station wagon. Maybe you are lying across the back, or maybe there are too many of you fighting for some space — all of you free of the irritating rub of a seatbelt against your necks. Now cut to this morning and remember the race …
The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE Study): Changing the conversation from “What is wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?” It’s a common misconception that what happens to you in the past, is just that, in the past. Maybe you experienced trauma in your childhood, but why does that matter? Childhood experiences, both positive and …
BOSTON, MA / CHARLESTON, SC (March 7, 2018) – Aly Raisman today announced a new partnership with Darkness to Light, the nation’s leading advocate for the prevention of child sexual abuse, to provide immediate support to the gymnastics community and to begin work on a comprehensive program to help young athletes everywhere participate in a safe …
The vast majority of offenders do not look, act, or speak in any way that would identify them as sex offenders. They rarely wear trench coats or masks. They’re hard to spot, but not because they’re in disguise. It’s because they look like you and me. In fact, 90% of children who are victims of …
As an adult, talking to kids about child sexual abuse can be a pretty scary thought. In today’s world, media is everywhere – on our TVs, on our phones, and on the radio on the way to school – and as cases are discussed in the news, it creates a perfect opportunity to talk to …
Children are sexually exploited everyday. No matter where you live, chances are it is happening nearby. Some victims are sold for sex by their parents or family members, some are lured with false promises of jobs, and some become romantically involved with someone who then exploits them. Sex trafficking, considered a type of human trafficking, …
My name is Timalee and I’m a survivor of child sexual abuse. I was abused at the hands of my paternal Grandfather from about ages 5 to 13. I was in my late 20’s when I first disclosed my secret. At that time, my Mom said the magic words “It’s not your fault,” which were …
Best Case Worst Case with Patty Dailey Lewis Part II She’s back! Darkness to Light Board Member and Executive Director of the Beau Biden Foundation for the Protection of Children, Patty Dailey Lewis, Esq., appeared on the Best Case Worst Case podcast once again. The podcast, hosted by Jim Clemente and Francey Hakes, takes you behind police lines, giving …
Put protection first this holiday season. During the holidays we spend lots of time and money attempting to create magical experiences for our children. We hang decorations, bake cookies, and sing songs. We take great care in the gifts we purchase, looking for ones that marry education and fun, and hoping the thrill will last …
Centre County has reached a new milestone in child protection. The YMCA of Centre County along with partners, have trained 7,000 adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse in Centre County, PA. That is truly amazing! When communities hit tipping point, that is when we start to see cultural change. This …
Giving Tuesday is Tomorrow: Check In We are almost there! Giving Tuesday is tomorrow and you have one more day to meet your fundraising goal! You’ve already sent an initial email to your friends, families, and contacts. You’ve posted on your social media outlets. But you’re still not at your goal? No worries, you still …
The #MeToo movement is sweeping across not only our nation, but the world. Survivors of sexual assault are sharing their stories to encourage others to come forward and to say ‘enough is enough.’ The #MeToo movement includes an out pouring of survivors who were sexually abused as children. After reading all the news articles and …
November 20th is World Children’s Day, a day each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare. November 20th is an important date as it is the date in 1959 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child and in 1989 is when the UN …
A small town in Missouri rallies around a community-wide code of conduct. The small town of Bolivar, Missouri is thinking outside the box in their quest to protect children. Headed-up by the Polk County Community Task Force to Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect, the town is creating a community-wide code of conduct aimed at helping businesses, …
Asking for Support: Make A Difference By Connecting With Others Now that your fundraising campaign is set-up, it’s time to get started on your quest to raise funds to protect children. Think about your fundraising strategy like a dart board. The best fundraisers start by asking their closest contacts first (the bullseye) and progressively working …
Best Case Worst Case with Patty Dailey Lewis Darkness to Light Board Member and Executive Director of the Beau Biden Foundation for the Protection of Children, Patty Dailey Lewis, Esq., appeared on the Best Case Worst Case podcast. The podcast is hosted by Jim Clemente, a retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent/Profiler and former Prosecutor for the …
Bring Everyone Together to Give: Start a Personal Fundraising Campaign This holiday season is just around the corner, and we invite you to kick it off with us on Giving Tuesday, November 28th! Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving back. On the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, people around the world will come together to …