Our Story
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 was abused. They asked themselves a courageous question: “What can we do to prevent abuse and keep children safe?” Soon, they mobilized other community members to create an initiative around educating adults to protect children.
Holding yearly conferences called, “From Darkness to Light,” they began to elevate the voices and stories of adult survivors of child sexual abuse. This initial community advocacy laid the foundation for a new organization.
In 2000, Darkness to Light
was officially born.
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 was abused. They asked themselves a courageous question: “What can we do to prevent abuse and keep children safe?” Soon, they mobilized other community members to create an initiative around educating adults to protect children.
Holding yearly conferences called, “From Darkness to Light,” they began to elevate the voices and stories of adult survivors of child sexual abuse. This initial community advocacy laid the foundation for a new organization.
In 2000, Darkness to Light
was officially born.
Our founders realized the need to combat the popular perspective that the way to stop sexual abuse is to teach children to protect themselves. When abuse is defined simply as a power dynamic in which a more powerful person forces themselves upon a less powerful person, educating children to protect themselves is insufficient on its own. The burden of prevention and protection must sit on the shoulders of adults who are legally and morally responsible for the health and safety of children.
For the first few years, Darkness to Light focused on producing award-winning media campaigns that raised national awareness and encouraged adult survivors to break free of shame and blame. In 2004, after refining the mission to include adult education, Darkness to Light released the first iteration of our flagship training, Stewards of Children®.
Today, through a combination of research, education, and community advocacy, Darkness to Light uses a social behavior change approach to pioneer new training initiatives that bring child sexual abuse prevention to the attention of the broader cultural conversation.
