Charleston, SC – January 23, 2025 – Darkness to Light, a global leader in child sexual abuse prevention, proudly announces its 25th anniversary, marking a quarter-century of empowering adults and communities to create safe environments for children. Reaching all 50 states and 101 other countries, the organization has achieved remarkable milestones that highlight its enduring commitment to child protection and preventing abuse.
Originating in Charleston, South Carolina, Darkness to Light envisions a world where adults proactively keep all children safe from sexual abuse. For the first few years as an organization, Darkness to Light focused on producing award-winning public service announcements that raised national awareness and encouraged adult survivors to break free of shame and blame. In 2005, after refining the mission to include adult education, Darkness to Light released the first edition of their flagship child protection training, Stewards of Children®.
Stewards of Children® teaches adults practical actions they can take to reduce instances of child sexual abuse in their organizations, families, and communities. This two-and-a-half-hour course is one of the only award-winning, evidence-informed, adult-focused child sexual abuse prevention trainings in the United States proven to increase knowledge and change behavior. Updated with state-of-the-art data and content in 2023, it received the awards ‘Best in Non-Broadcast – Charitable’ and ‘Best in Non-Broadcast – Education & Training’ during the record-breaking 44th Annual Telly Awards. Stewards of Children® can be taken as a self-paced online course or as an in-person group training offered by an Authorized Facilitator, one of Darkness to Light’s grassroots network of 14,000 volunteers.
Reflecting on 25 Years of Impact:
- Trained Over 2.45 Million Adults: Equipping adults with the skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to child sexual abuse.
- Global Network of Advocates: Collaborating with partners across 102 countries to establish safe environments for children.
- Award-Winning Programs: Revolutionizing child protection with initiatives like Stewards of Children® and five additional trainings
- Culturally Inclusive Efforts: Launching programs tailored for diverse communities, including Hispanic and underserved groups.
- Advancing Research: Partnering with institutions like Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to innovate prevention practices.
“This milestone underscores the dedication of countless advocates who have championed our mission over the years,” said Rhonda Newton, CEO. “As we celebrate this achievement, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring every child grows up safe, supported, and free from harm.”
Looking Ahead:
Darkness to Light envisions an even greater reach in the years to come by expanding training opportunities in Spanish, enhancing accessibility through online resources, and strengthening collaborations with local, national, and international partners. They are also developing partnerships with state-wide educational institutions to provide continuing professional education credits through child sexual abuse prevention training for educators and school personnel.
Join the Celebration:
To honor this milestone, Darkness to Light invites supporters to:
- Celebrate: Learn more about the history and activities of Darkness to light, and share impact stories within your community.
- Get Involved: Take the training or become an advocate for child protection.
- Support: Make a donation, sponsor training, or volunteer to extend their reach.
- “Our journey over the past 25 years is a testament to the power of collective action,” added Newton. “Together, we can create a future where every child is free from abuse.”
For more information or to get involved, visit www.D2L25.org.
About Darkness to Light:
Darkness to Light is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to equip and empower adults to be proactive in preventing child sexual abuse, through adult-focused prevention education. Darkness to Light’s flagship program, Stewards of Children®, is a trauma and evidence-informed, training that teaches adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. More than 2 million adults have been trained using Darkness to Light trainings. For more information, visit www.D2L25.org.
