7000 Adults Trained to Protect Children

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 is no small feat – the energy this initiative has shown is critical in the ground they have covered in the protection of children. This article originally appeared here.

Statistics for child sexual abuse are startling. In the United States alone, one in 10 children will be sexually abused before the age of 18, making this one of the most prevalent health problems children face. Children affected not only suffer serious short term consequences from their abuse, and long term effects are often devastating for their family, relationships, and communities.

In over 90% of incidents, children are abused by someone they and their caregivers know and trust. However, in Centre County, 7,000 adults are now trained to create environments that reduce the risk for abuse and allow children to learn, play, and worship in safety.

The YMCA of Centre County, Centre County United Way, Centre County Women’s Resource Center, and the Centre County Youth Service Bureau are a coalition with a proven and continued commitment to preventing child sexual abuse in Centre County.

In Centre County? Register for a free Stewards of Children® training program, schedule a free training for your organization, or learn how to become an authorized facilitator today: you could be the 7,001 person in our community trained to prevent child sexual abuse. Make a commitment today to protect the children in your life. Contact Jamie SanFilippo at JSanFilippo@ymcaocc.org for education, training, and volunteer opportunities and visit ymcaocc.org for more information and upcoming trainings in your area.

Jamie is a Darkness to Light affiliate, authorized to facilitate Stewards of Children® trainings within the Centre County community, as well as certify new facilitators. She is the lead trainer and coordinator for all Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children® trainings in Centre County. Jamie is a Penn State graduate and has been with the YMCA of Centre County for almost 10 years.

For more information visit D2L.org/Stewards.

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