u003cpu003eAlmost no one likes to talk about child sexual abuse. It can bring up a range of feelings, from mere discomfort to shame, rage, and hopelessness.u003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eBut avoiding the topic has a cost, and that cost is the perpetuation of child sexual abuse. It is estimated that u003cstrongu003eone in 10 children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday, and 90% of children who experience sexual abuse know their abuser.u003c/strongu003e u003ca href=u0022https://pcaaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Claire-Louge-e1578935669301.jpgu0022u003eu003cimg class=u0022 wp-image-9328 alignrightu0022 src=u0022https://pcaaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Claire-Louge.jpgu0022 alt=u0022u0022 width=u0022149u0022 height=u0022193u0022 /u003eu003c/au003eu003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eTo prevent child sexual abuse, we need to be willing to have uncomfortable discussions. Protecting children is our responsibility as adults, and our discomfort is a small price to pay in comparison to the burden shouldered by children who experience sexual abuse. If our conversations lead to informed vigilance and an active, shared sense of responsibility for protecting children, then our discomfort is more than worth it.u003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eA few months ago, I was trained as an authorized facilitator for Stewards of Children®, a two-hour training created by the nonprofit organization u003ca href=u0022https://www.d2l.org/u0022u003eDarkness to Lightu003c/au003e. The training shares simple but effective ways that adults can create environments that protect children from sexual abuse. It encourages courageous, frank conversations, and the implementation of practices that minimize opportunity for sexual abuse to happen.u003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eEvidence shows that the training leads to adult behavior change and helps shift potentially harmful norms that make sexual abuse more likely. Last month, after I presented the training to a group, I got an email from a participant saying that she had decided to make a report to DCS about a child she was connected to, and the training had been instrumental in her decision to do so.u003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eInformation and conversations are powerful. They can initiate action that changes a child’s life for the better. Let’s talk more about preventing and addressing child sexual abuse.u003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eIf you’re interested in bringing the Stewards of Children® training to your team, please email info@pcaaz.org.u003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eu003ca href=u0022https://pcaaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/D2L.pngu0022u003eu003cimg class=u0022alignnone size-medium wp-image-9350u0022 src=u0022https://pcaaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/D2L.pngu0022 alt=u0022u0022 width=u0022300u0022 height=u002277u0022 /u003eu003c/au003eu003c/pu003e
