The CAP (Child Abuse Prevention) Council of Livingston County will host two free “Stewards of Children” sexual abuse prevention workshops in April to recognize National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Created by Darkness to Light, this evidence-based program teaches adults seven critical steps for preventing, recognizing and reacting responsibly to child sexual abuse.
Community members may choose to attend workshops at LACASA on Thursday, April 19, from 6 to 9 p.m. or on Saturday, April 28, from 9 a.m. until noon. Reservations are required due to space limitations.
The three-hour training will include multimedia presentations designed to overcome the taboo of acknowledging and addressing sexual abuse.
A video will feature survivors of sexual abuse, such as the former Miss America—Marilyn Van Derbur—who spoke in Livingston County when the Stewards program was launched here in November of 2007.
“Child sexual abuse is a reality and it occurs frequently in our society,” said Deanna Norris, CAP Council director. “We are always stunned and saddened when children are victimized but, the truth is, sexual abuse is more common than any of us would like to believe.”
One in four girls (24.7%) and one in six boys (16%) are victims of sexual abuse before their 18th birthdays, Norris said, citing a recent study conducted by Kaiser Permanente and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Awareness, understanding and a willingness to take proactive steps are all keys to preventing sexual abuse, said Norris.
“As adults, it is our responsibility to protect children, and the Stewards of Children training teaches us how to do that,” Norris said. “Once adults are educated with the facts about child sexual abuse and understand the risk factors, they are better prepared to keep children safe.”
The Darkness to Light organization estimates that for each adult trained in the Stewards program, ten children are less likely to become victims.
Community members interested in registering for either of the April workshops are asked to contact the CAP Council by calling (517) 548-1350, ext. 287, or by sending an e-mail to dnorris@lacasacenter.org. For more information, visit LACASA’s website at www.lacasacenter.org.
The CAP Council, serving Livingston County for more than 32 years, is a program of LACASA and a Designated Local Council of the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund. CAP Council programs are funded, in part, by the Livingston County United Way.
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