Blog

What is your family culture? Have you ever stopped to think about it? Does your family have inside jokes, daily rituals, or unspoken schedules? Have you ever thought about the unique way your family talks to each other, approaches conflict, or solves problems? How do you deal with unexpected stressful situations, like social distancing? The …

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Para Español, vaya aquí. 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 …

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When it comes to child safety, 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. As our communities continue to press pause …

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Para Español, vaya aquí. Spending a lot of time at home with your kids? Looking for a fun and healthy activity 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 …

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Para Español, vaya aquí. 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 …

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Para Español, vaya aquí. 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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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