Let's Talk About It...

What is Child Sexual Abuse?
  • Any sexual act between an adult and a minor or between two minors, when one exerts power over the other.
  • Forcing, coercing or persuading a child to engage in any type of sexual act. It also includes non-contact acts such as exhibitionism, exposure to pornography, voyeurism, and communicating in a sexual manner by phone or internet. (*source D2L.org)



Keep Talking...
Why Prevention Is So Important.
Statistics show 1 in 10 children are sexually abused by their eighteenth birthday. These statistics don't even include non-contact acts of abuse. 

Preventing child sexual abuse (CSA) helps prevent the modern-day slavery of domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST). It is estimated that greater than 90% of children who become victims of exploitation or trafficking were first victims of CSA.

Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) is preventable. It will only be prevented if we, the adults of the community, take responsible action to protect our children and advocate for them. We can speak out and take actions to create a culture in which child sexual abuse is not tolerated. We must. 

WHO'S AT RISK? Everyone!
Child Sexual Abuse does not discriminate. This crime happens among all socioeconomic and education levels, races, religions and backgrounds.

The Tools
Training - Awareness, Prevention, Recognition, Appropriate Response
Our primary training tool for child sexual abuse prevention training is Darkness to Light's Stewards of Children child sexual abuse prevention training for adults. This is a facilitator-led evidence-based program utilizing an interactive workbook for each participant. This workbook becomes a valuable personal resource and reference tool. Two contact hours for continued education are available for social workers and nurses. In-service hours are available for preschool and daycare workers upon advance request. The training can be two to three hours long, depending on the needs of the group or organization. 

We can accomplish a cultural change to help eradicate this crime. Be one who helps stop a child from being abused. By preventing abuse, you could also help prevent child exploitation, substance abuse, homelessness, human trafficking, trauma disorders, suicide, teen pregnancy, mental and behavioral health issues, and other health-related issues often associated with child sexual abuse. 

Additional training topics offered:
  1. Talking with Children about Safety from Sexual Abuse
  2. Healthy Touch for Children & Youth
  3. Bystanders Protecting Children from Boundary Violations & Sexual Abuse
  4. Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children ​

Additional trainings are available as facilitater-led or online through D2L.org. These are excellent resources for parents and caregivers of all types. Group discussion participants tend to get the most benefit, as everyone brings unique experience and perspective. 

What's Next.
You Can Help Save a Child.
Join the Prevention Initiative. Our goal is to train 6000 adults in Alamance County in child sexual abuse prevention. This is a number which can lead to a change in the culture around us. Our culture should be one that does not tolerate abuse, but instead takes responsible positive action against it. Through training and awareness of the issues adults can learn how to prevent, recognize and respond to abuse. Let's do this! For children. For this present time. For the future. 

Each county or region has a unique training goal, called the "Tipping Point," at which societal change is expected to be reached. Through continuing training and awareness, we can make child sexual abuse prevention the norm.