Is it just me or have things completely changed since we were in grade school? I remember walking or riding my bike everywhere, playing outside until it was dark, endless summers at the lake with no adult in sight. Now, there is no way I would ever allow my very capable 10-year-old to walk to school alone, go to a public restroom by herself or be dropped off at the mall, even with a cell phone. I’m sure that terrible things were happening when I was a kid. Maybe it’s just that we are more aware thanks to the magic of social media and push notifications.
We receive Amber Alert texts to our phones and hear about every abduction and injustice on Facebook within minutes of it happening, but what do we really do about it? Honestly, I find most people don’t actually want to talk about this issue. After hearing or reading about the often tragic outcomes, we spend a few extra minutes tucking our children into bed that night, kiss their heads, tell them we love them one more time but mentally walk away from reality, breathing a sigh of relief that today the news reporter wasn’t interviewing us and that the picture on the screen wasn’t one of our dear little ones.
One in 10 children. One in 10. That’s how many children are sexually abused before they reach the age of 18. Take 30 seconds right now and think about ten children that you know and feel personally responsible for. I hope that makes you just a little bit uneasy. This isn’t just a shock statistic, although stats can be powerful motivators. The average age of a child sexual abuse victim is just nine years old. That puts them in 4th or 5th grade, and 90% of those children know their abuser and won’t tell anyone in time to stop the abuse. It could quite literally go on for years.
So you opened up and are reading this blog. Maybe because you thought a good mom would read something about keeping their children safe, and you are a responsible parent.
About two years ago I decided to stop just hearing about these tragic stories without taking any action. The far-reaching effects of sexual abuse are too great to ignore and if there was a way I could prevent it from happening and make my city safer for my own daughter, I was determined to do it. So, I took a two-hour training called Darkness to Light Stewards of Children and even signed on to be a volunteer educator on the subject, hopefully creating a culture in our region; a community of adults that could recognize and respond responsibly and stop the abuse before it started. What if there was a way to protect your family from the unimaginable? Would you get involved? Below are two ways for you to take action today.
- Learn more about the Darkness to Light Stewards of Children training by visiting the Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Coalition website.
- Purchase a ticket to attend Fashion for a Cause 2016, hosted by the Williams Family YMCA. All proceeds will benefit the Darkness to Light Stewards of Children initiative.
For every one adult trained, we can better protect 10 children. I’m a fan of those odds. #ifitwasyourchild
About the Author
Jennifer Willett is a true Florida native who never really traveled anywhere until she married her USAF hubby 16 years ago and took a trip around the south; residing in Mississippi , South Carolina, and Texas before ending back up in the Sunshine State. She is the super proud mommy of her brown-eyed- girl, Lindsay (10) and their favorite mommy-daughter activity is binge watching Harry Potter movies. For the past 9 years, Jen has been busy working for the YMCA, where she manages all things kid, family, and fundraising related at the Williams branch in Mandarin. When she isn’t on Pinterest finding the next best craft or planning summer enrichment camps and special events you’ll find her raising money to make life better for families here on Florida’s First Coast. A self-proclaimed Disney fanatic, she enjoys a great glass of wine, decorating anything that will stand still and crafting the perfect thank you notes.
