CSA & Darkness to Light

Darkness to Light Stewards of Children Training

Stewards of Children is a child sexual abuse prevention program based on Darkness to Light’s 7 Steps to Protecting our Children that teaches adults to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.


Darkness to Light is a national nonprofit headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina whose mission is to empower people to prevent child sexual abuse. Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children is the leading adult-based child sexual abuse prevention training program; third-party evaluated and shown to increase awareness and change attitudes and child protective behaviors. In addition, Darkness to Light assists communities with implementing and sustaining grassroots community based child sexual abuse prevention initiatives.

Program Description

1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused by their 18th birthday! But we can do something to stop it. Stewards of Children is a prevention training program that teaches adults how to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. The program is designed for organizations that serve youth and for parents and other individuals concerned about the safety of children. It is based on “7 Steps to Protecting Our Children.”

Step 1: Learn the facts – Realities, not trust, should influence your decisions regarding children.
Step 2: Minimize Opportunity – If you eliminate or reduce one-adult/one-child situations, you’ll dramatically lower the risk of sexual abuse for children.
Step 3: Talk about it – Children often keep abuse a secret, but talking openly can break down barriers.
Step 4: Stay Alert – Don’t expect obvious signs when a child is being sexually abused.
Step 5: Make a Plan – Learn where to go, who to call and how to react.
Step 6: Act on Suspicion – The future well-being of a child is at stake.
Step 7: Get involved – Volunteer and financially support organizations that fight the tragedy of child sexual abuse.

Program Format & Target Audience

Stewards of Children is a 2.5-3 hour training program led by an Authorized Facilitator who has been trained by Darkness to Light. It is appropriate for groups of 15 – 35 professional and/or nonprofessional adults, but may be offered for larger groups depending on the facility. Participants watch a DVD presentation integrating commentary from sexual abuse survivors, experts in the field and other concerned adults all providing practical guidance for preventing and responding to sexual abuse. The training combines a facilitator led discussion about important issues in child sexual abuse prevention with an interactive workbook designed to facilitate discussion, reinforce key concepts, and serve as a resource guide and personal action plan for resolving child sexual abuse.

Program Research

Stewards of Children is the only nationally distributed, evidence-based program, proven to increase knowledge, improve attitudes, and change child protective behaviors.

Our Mission: To Empower People to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse

Our programs raise awareness of the prevalence and consequences of child sexual abuse by educating adults about the steps they can take to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to the reality of child sexual abuse.

Please contact Anny to schedule Children’s of Steward’s training or to arrange a Prevent Now! meeting for your community.

anny@annyjacoby.com

872-225-0281

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