Dialogue Brings Perspective, Public Attention to Child Sexual Abuse
Late December is always the time for reflection. We consider how our thinking has been affected by what we’ve learned during the past year, how it has changed behavior and, ultimately, altered some beliefs. Change in perspective on child sexual abuse may be 2011’s lasting legacy. But it is so much more than a year’s end reflection. It could signal the tangible shift in public dialogue that this issue has needed for far too long. Over the past two months, we have witnessed communities in …
Penn State Incident Should Empower All Adults To Better Protect Children
As individuals and communities, we are all impacted by the horrible allegations of child sexual abuse by a former assistant football coach at Penn Sate. These reports leave us wondering how such atrocities could happen when so many well-minded adults were around –– yet none took the necessary action steps to end the abuse and the offender’s access to children. Further, parents are left wondering how they can best protect their children. Shock, disbelief and outrage are often the first reactions to such news. However, …
D2L Op-Ed, Charleston SC
Reducing sex abuse of children BY JOLIE LOGAN Sunday, November 6, 2011 Last week’s allegations of child sexual abuse against a local assistant principal and coach have brought shock, dismay and outrage. The accused was in a position of trust, and our tri-county community is in search of answers. There may be a rush to question the motives of anyone who works with children. We ask how crimes like these could go unnoticed. And, for many parents, a pressing concern is “what do we say …
Reduce the Risk. Insist on Policy.
One proactive thing parents can do to be more involved in child safety is to ask the youth organizations that serve their children about the policies they have in place. Make sure organizations have all of the following: Policy for reducing or eliminating one adult/one-child situations. The policy should ensure that all activities can be easily observed or interrupted. Clear policy on the supervision of older youth who have responsibility for the care of children and careful monitoring of all staff and volunteers. Hiring practices …
What do you think…high fashion or a step above kiddie porn?
Remember a few years ago those Vanity Fair photos of Mylie Cyrus posing provocatively at the tender age of 15? Topless with a silk blanket strategically placed yet still showing bare shoulder and back, bright red lipstick and sultry smoky eyes? Shock and dismay was the public response to what was viewed as the exploitation of a young pop star all with the aim of selling a magazine. Well that’s a tiny blip on the radar compared to the latest controversies coming out of France, …
Media consistently fails to mention the importance of prevention
We monitor the headlines and while it is disturbing reading at least 10 national headlines every day related to CSA, we know the numbers of children out there being abused each day is significantly greater. We also know that the media has largely failed to combine the important message of prevention and what responsible adults can do to protect children with stories of abuse. There is a huge opportunity for the media to play an important role in consistently including prevention tips in news stories …
Talking to kids about sexual abuse
How do I talk to my kids about sexual abuse? It’s one of the most frequently asked questions we get at Darkness to Light and it’s the most important thing you can do to help keep your children safe. You can find resources on our web site here. I also came across a Huffington Post blog posting by Mary L. Pulido, Ph.D., the Executive Director of the New York Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children, that included some great tips for talking to children. …
Anne Lee featured in People Magazine’s Heroes Among Us
Our very own Anne Lee is featured in this week’s People Magazine’s Heroes Among Us sharing her story of abuse and how that led her to launching Darkness to Light. Anne truly is a “hero among us” for her tireless efforts to protect children from the devastating effects of sexual abuse. We are so proud of her! Check out the feature on page 103 of the April 4th issue available on newstands now.
Invest in Programs to Reduce Teen Pregnency
As I was getting ready to come to the office this morning, an ad caught my attention “Do you want to save tax payers in SC 180 million a year? Then invest in programs that prevent teen pregnancy.” As a state, and as a country, we DO need to invest in programs that prevent teen pregnancy – it impacts and costs us all. We can debate what the best approach is – teach abstinence or provide birth control. I’m sure both sides of the argument …
