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 2019 was Darkness to Light’s third annual national child sexual abuse prevention conference, which brought together sexual abuse prevention leaders from across the country around the common goal of making communities safer for children.
Raisman, in partnership with Darkness to Light, launched the #FlipTheSwitch campaign to address the immediate need for child abuse prevention training and support within youth sports. This grassroots campaign calls for all adults involved in youth sports to complete Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children® training, which is widely regarded as the leading, evidence-informed child sexual abuse prevention program in the country. Raisman has made the online training available for free to all participants who use the code FLIPTHESWITCH.
“There was no more fitting way to celebrate the efforts of child protection advocates than by having Boston’s own Aly Raisman share her inspiring message,” said Katelyn Brewer, President and CEO of Darkness to Light. “Aly is a courageous advocate with a powerful vision for a world free of sexual abuse and we’re excited to have her as a partner.”
Launched in March 2018, more than 10,000 people have accessed the #FlipTheSwitch Campaign. Eastern Bank, who welcomed Raisman as a Partner for Good in 2018 for her leadership to advance positive change in our communities, has supported her initiative by making the Stewards of Children® training available to its employees. Following the keynote conversation, Eastern Bank presented a $25,000 donation to Darkness to Light as part of its commitment to supporting Raisman and in further support of the #FlipTheSwitch campaign to help young athletes everywhere participate in a safe and abuse-free environment.
Inspired by an army of survivors, Raisman continues her advocacy for systematic changes within the sport of gymnastics and strives to help eradicate sexual abuse in all youth sports. In a moderated discussion with Brewer, Raisman discussed her advocacy work and the role all adults play in making a safer world for children. With almost daily revelations of child sexual abuse in communities and institutions, discussing how children can be protected is essential and adult education is vital.
The two-day conference had around 200 attendees and highlighted child protection efforts from across the country, as well as inspired new approaches and ideas. After Raisman’s keynote discussion she led a meditation that allowed individuals to reset and take time for self-care. Conference attendees also participated in thought-provoking, interactive sessions led by some of the most respected experts in child sexual abuse prevention. The conference offered four session tracks – individual, organizational, public health and legal – giving attendees fresh ideas to take back to their communities and better protect children.
To find out more about IGNITE and Darkness to Light, visit www.D2L.org.
 |
 |
 |
Paul Alexander from Eastern Bank, Aly Raisman, & Katelyn N. Brewer at IGNITE 2019. |
Danielle Criscuolo, Paul Alexander, Aly Raisman, and Katelyn N. Brewer with the $25,000 donation from Eastern Bank at IGNITE 2019. |
Aly Raisman poses with the Eastern Bank donation at IGNITE 2019. |
About Eastern Bank
Founded in 1818, Boston-based Eastern Bank is America’s oldest and largest mutual bank, with over $11 billion in assets and more than 115 locations serving communities in eastern Massachusetts, southern and coastal New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Eastern provides exceptional access to fairly priced banking, investment and insurance products and services for consumers and businesses of all sizes. Eastern Bank, which includes Eastern Wealth Management and Eastern Insurance, is known for its outspoken advocacy and community support that has exceeded more than $140 million in charitable giving since 1999. An inclusive company, Eastern employs 1,900+ deeply committed professionals who value relationships with their customers, colleagues and communities. Eastern also partners with nonprofits, community and business leaders, elected officials and customers to strategically contribute to the communities it serves. These Partners for Good guide and connect Eastern to efforts that positively influence community challenges. Join us for good at http://www.easternbank.com and follow Eastern on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.
About Aly Raisman
Raisman, team captain of the gold medal winning Women’s Gymnastics teams in 2012 and 2016, is the second most decorated American gymnast of all-time with six total Olympic medals. The most decorated U.S. gymnast at the 2012 Games, Raisman captured the hearts of millions as she became the first American gymnast to win gold in the floor exercise. One of only two U.S. gymnasts to make back-to-back teams in more than 15 years, she helped guide the team to gold and landed a silver medal in the All-Around competition at the 2016 Games. A leader on and off the floor, Raisman uses her platform to promote positive body image and encourages everyone to be comfortable and confident in their own skin. In her New York Times best-selling memoir – Fierce – she shares the highs and lows of her journey, including her survival of sexual abuse. Inspired by an army of survivors, Raisman continues her advocacy for systematic changes within the sport of gymnastics and efforts to help to eradicate sexual abuse in youth sports.
About Darkness to Light
Darkness to Light is a nonprofit organization with the mission to empower adults to prevent child sexual abuse. Through education and awareness, the organization seeks to create a safer world for children to grow and thrive. Darkness to Light’s flagship program, Stewards of Children®, is an award-winning training that teaches adults to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. More than 1.8 million adults including educators, youth serving professionals, organization volunteers, and community members have been certified in the program. Stewards of Children® is the only evidence-informed training of its kind, with the largest network of child protection advocates in the world as facilitators. For more information, visit www.D2L.org.
Media Contact:
Gwen Bouchie
Darkness to Light
843-513-1623
gbouchie@D2L.org
