Charleston, South Carolina – Darkness to Light is asking adults across the country to raise awareness of child abuse, including child sexual abuse, during April and Child Abuse Prevention Month. Sexual abuse is a silent epidemic, affecting one in ten children before their 18th birthday.
“Child sexual abuse prevention training can be difficult for some to invest their time and money in,” said Katelyn Brewer, President and CEO of Darkness to Light. “It’s an uncomfortable topic, and for many, it hits too close to home. People still want to believe it doesn’t happen, but it does. The good news is that when we talk about it, we realize that prevention is possible through education and training.”
PREVENTION IS POSSIBLE SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN
Organizations and individuals can participate in the Prevention is Possible campaign by downloading the kit from the Darkness to Light website. The kit is designed to help anyone raise awareness during Child Abuse Prevention Month. Featuring fact and customized quote graphics, social media headers, and printables, the kit is a great resource for passionate individuals or larger organizations. Individuals are encouraged to use #preventionispossible when sharing their prevention messages, and are encouraged to share their selfie with the printable sign enclosed in the kit.
Kit Download Link: www.d2l.org/get-involved/campaigns/child-abuse-awareness-month-kit
FIVE DAYS OF ACTION WITH YMCA OF THE USA AND THE REDWOODS FOUNDATION
In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, YMCA of the USA, the Redwoods Foundation, and Darkness to Light have partnered for 5 Days of Action, April 24 – 28. The 5 Days of Action is an awareness campaign throughout participating YMCA’s across the country, raising awareness about prevention by engaging YMCA families, members and the community in preventing child sexual abuse. Providing information and resources to help adults protect children, the YMCA’s will spread the prevention message across their social media channels.
CHILDHOOD USA PLEDGE TO FIGHT CSA
Join Childhood USA and Darkness to Light this April by taking the pledge to protect children from sexual abuse! Join the movement to be a child protector by downloading the “Stewards of Children Prevention Toolkit” app for iPhone and Android at www.socapp.org. This first-of-its-kind mobile app equips adults with the skills and resources necessary to recognize, prevent, and respond to child sexual abuse.
Follow @Darkness2Light for more updates and sharable resources during April and the Child Abuse Prevention Month #preventionispossible campaign.
SUGGESTED TWEETS
- 90% of children who are sexually abused are abused by someone they know. Join @Darkness2Light and show that #preventionispossible.
- Did you know that adult training can dramatically reduce the risk of child sexual abuse? Join @Darkness2Light & show #preventionispossible.
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Media Contact
Gwen Bouchie
843.513.1623
gbouchie@D2L.org
About Child Abuse Prevention Month
National Child Abuse Prevention Month is a time to acknowledge the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect, and to promote the social and emotional well-being of children and families. During the month of April and throughout the year, communities are encouraged to share child abuse and neglect prevention awareness strategies and activities and promote prevention across the country. For more information, visit https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/preventionmonth/about/.
About Darkness to Light
Headquartered in Charleston, S.C., Darkness to Light is a nonprofit organization founded in 2000 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. As of August 2015, over one million adults including educators, youth serving professionals, organization volunteers, and community members were trained 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.
