According to experts, one in 10 children, or 400,000 each year, will experience child sexual abuse before their 18th birthday. In an effort to rid the world of child sexual abuse, the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties, with the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance, has joined forces with Darkness to Light, a nationally recognized nonprofit organization and creators of the award-winning Stewards of Children child sexual abuse prevention curriculum to educate adults in the community on how to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.
Through the initiative, the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties is offering a Stewards of Children child sexual abuse prevention training, open to adults in the community on Tuesday, Feb. 11 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Mt. Laurel YMCA, located at 59 Centerton Road in Mt. Laurel.
The two-hour, evidence-based program is designed to increase knowledge, improve attitudes and change child protective behaviors. Darkness to Light training covers a five-step action plan: learn the facts, minimize opportunity, talk about it, recognize the signs, and react responsibly.
Cost for participation in Stewards of Children child sexual abuse prevention training is $10 per person. Continuing education credits for professionals in various fields can be obtained through this training.
To help the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties end child sexual abuse or for more about Stewards of Children workshops, contact Dana Collins at (856) 234–6200 ext. 227 or danac@ymca-bc.org.
