The YMCA of Delaware is marking Child Abuse Prevention Month with Five Days of Action, April 22 – 26, 2019. Leading up to Healthy Kids Day®–a national initiative to improve the health and well-being of kids–Five Days of Action focuses on preventing child sexual abuse by sharing actions you can take to prevent and report child sexual abuse.
When we know how abuse happens, see the warning signs, and respond quickly to prevent it, together we foster a culture of child abuse prevention. These three habits – know, see and respond– can change the life of a child for the better.
The YMCA of Delaware and the YMCA Guardians for Child Protection, with support from YMCA of the USA, Darkness to Light, the Redwoods Group Foundation, and Praesidium, have made materials available to help adults learn more about preventing child sexual abuse. Visit www.fivedaysofaction.org for more information about preventing child sexual abuse.
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE STATISTICS – PROVIDED BY DARKNESS TO LIGHT
- One in ten children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday.
- 90% of child sexual abuse victims know their abuser.
- Approximately 30% of children who are sexually abused are abused by family members.
- 60% of child sexual abuse victims never tell anyone.
- False reports are rare. Research shows that only 4 to 8% of child sexual abuse reports are fabricated
You do not need to have proof that abuse is occurring to make a report, only reasonable suspicion. Reasonable suspicion means that you have witnessed maltreatment or boundary violations, either in the child or adult, or both. Or, you have received a disclosure from a child about abuse, neglect, or boundary violations towards them. Child sexual abuse reports should be made to the police and/or state child protective services. Contact the Darkness to Light Helpline at 866-FOR-LIGHT to have questions answered by trained counselors at no charge.
How can you be a part of the cause? Start today by taking this interactive quiz and signing the pledge to protect, then share it with two friends!
Here’s to Five Days focused on protecting our kids!