Training Offered For Adults Who Work with Youth
For the City Times
WISCONSIN RAPIDS — Community members working with children and youth are invited to a free presentation focused on child-protective behaviors.
As part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, specially trained Family Center staff will present “Darkness to Light: Stewards of Children,” a two-part DVD presentation.
The presentation is “the only nationally available program scientifically proven to increase knowledge, improve attitudes, and change child-protective behaviors,” according to Darkness to Light, a non-profit organization committed to “empowering adults to prevent child sexual abuse.”
While, according to the Darkness to Light website, identified incidents of child sexual abuse appear to be declining, statistics reveal childhood sexual abuse is more prevalent than some might realize: About one in 10 children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. Many cases go undisclosed, the website also stated.
The program will include information on how to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. Clergy, parents, lay workers, Sunday school teachers, and all others who work with children are encouraged to attend.
Family Center staff, trained as authorized facilitators of the program, will lead the presentation, which will include a follow-up discussion. Attendees will receive a take-home workbook and certificate of attendance.
The information provided in this training is done in a way that makes it easy for anyone to understand the topic and feel confident in helping children who might have experienced sexual abuse, according to Kim Suchowski, sexual assault victim services coordinator at The Family Center.
“It gives anyone tools to help keep children safe and how to respond appropriately – and with confidence – to situations of child sexual abuse,” Suchowski said.
The program is from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. April 22 at The Family Center, 500 25th St. North., Wisconsin Rapids. Register by April 7 by contacting Rasa at 715-421-1559 or at [email protected].
About Darkness to Light
Darkness to Light got its start in 1997 as a seminal conference, highlighting the voice and resilience of adult survivors of child sexual abuse. This initial work laid the foundation for Darkness to Light as an organization, which was founded in 2000 as a non-profit organization. Darkness to Light added education to its mission. In 2002, “7 Steps to Protecting our Children: A Guide for Responsible Adults” was published. Darkness to Light developed and released an award-winning public awareness campaign, led by Young and Rubicam, which went national in 2002.The Stewards of Children® program was released to parents, youth serving organizations, and communities across the nation and globe in 2005.
