The statistics are startling. 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused before their 18th birthday. Children are victims in nearly 70% of all reported sexual assaults. In more than 90% of these cases, the abuser is someone the child knows and trusts.
But there’s good news too. The Chapel Hill – Carrboro YMCA has partnered with Darkness to Light, a nationally acclaimed non-profit, to bring its award-winning prevention program, Stewards of Children, to our community. Stewards of Children is a three-hour training designed to educate adults on how to recognize, prevent, and react responsibly to the reality of child sexual abuse, emphasizing child safety as every adult’s responsibility. Our goal is simple: to educate and prepare our community to deal with and prevent child sexual abuse.
The YMCA is able to provide Stewards of Children trainings free of charge thanks to grants awarded from the Oak Foundation and the Redwoods Foundation. Trainings are open to the public and may be of specific interest to youth sports organizations, coaches, camp counselors, teachers, schools, faith centers and other service organizations. Trainings facilitate discussion about the incidence and consequence of abuse and present information about child protection policies and mandates and prevention techniques. Stewards of Children workshops can be requested by any local group and the YMCA will host open community trainings on a monthly basis. Professional development contact hours are available for nurses, social workers, certified counselors, and childcare providers at an additional cost. For more information or to register, Email tsmar@chcymca.org.
Upcoming Stewards of Children Trainings in Chapel Hill:
Thursday, May 30, 1 – 4 pm at Orange County 4H - Email tsmar@chcymca.org to register.
Sat, June 8 1 – 4 PM at Homestead Aquatics Center - Email tsmar@chcymca.org to register.
Thurs, June 13, 9am – 12pm at YMCA Children’s Center - Click Here to Register
Tues, June 18, 5:30 – 8:30pm at Homestead Aquatics Center - Click Here to Register
Thurs, July 11, 9:30am – 12:30pm at Homestead Aquatics Center - Email tsmar@chcymca.org to register.
Wednesday, July 24, 5:45 – 8:45pm at YMCA Children’s Center - Email tsmar@chcymca.org to register.
We are also happy to set up private trainings for your organizations or businesses. To schedule a private training or for questions relating to the YMCA’s Darkness to Light initiative, email Tricia Smar at tsmar@chcymca.org.
Prevent Now meetings are community meetings, meant to raise awareness and knowledge around the subject of child sexual abuse. If you would like to bring this 1 1/2 hour presentation to your organization to open up the conversation about your role in protecting our youth, please contact Tricia Smar at tsmar@chcymca.org.
To learn more about the Darkness to Light organization, CLICK HERE.