Nella Vita di One Small Step

This week’s small step for positive change is to educate yourself about sexual abuse.

Experts estimate that one in four girls and one in six boys are sexually abused before their 18th birthday with the median age or reported abuse being 9. This is just. so. appalling. I know more than six boys and definitely know more than four girls and the thought that something like this could happen to them makes my skin crawl.

Even if you don’t have young children in your family, it is still so important to educate yourself about identifying and preventing sexual abuse in your community. Sexually abused children are more likely to have drug and alcohol problems or eating disorders as adults. They are more likely to engage in prostitution or become sexual offenders themselves. More than 60% of teen first pregnancies are preceded by experiences of molestation, rape or attempted rape. These are issues whose consequences can affect us all.

So how does one become educated? In Charlottesville, I just heard about a group called Foothills Child Advocacy Center who will be sponsoring a training of Darkness to Light’s ‘Stewards of Children’ program on July 22. I will be attending and encourage anyone in the Charlottesville area to attend too. It is one of those trainings I hope I will never have to use, but will be very thankful to have had if I ever do need it. If you don’t live in the Charlottesville area, Darkness to Light’s trainings are available across the country and you can contact them to find out where one near you may be happening. Both Foothills and Darkness have lots of useful education and resources available online.

I think every adult should be required to take this training, because no child should ever have to go through the horrors of sexual abuse that is unimaginable to most of us. It is our responsibility to protect not just our own children but all children. Every adult should know the signs to look for and know how to report and stop sexual abuse in their community. It is time to take one small step forward and let it be known that this is something that will not be tolerated!