Adults Step Up and Speak Out to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse

Rahway, NJ, April 18, 2018 --(PR.com)-- The Gateway Family YMCA is marking Child Abuse Prevention Month with Five Days of Action, April 16-20, 2018. Leading up to Healthy Kids Day®--a national initiative to improve the health and well-being of kids--Five Days of Action focuses on preventing child sexual abuse by sharing tips on how adults can step up and speak out to prevent child sexual abuse.

During April and all year long, The Gateway Family YMCA encourages adults and organizations in the community to play a vital role in making Eastern Union County and Northern Middlesex County a safer place for children. By encouraging adults to step up and speak out, we can bring awareness to the issue of child sexual abuse in our communities and foster conversations around how we can all work together to prevent it from happening.

“Protecting children from sexual abuse must be the number one goal of every person who cares about the health and well-being of kids,” said Krystal R. Canady, CEO, The Gateway Family YMCA. “Together, we can stand up to demand that children are protected and speak out to encourage adults to make it happen in our community. It takes all of us,” stated Melynda A. Mileski, EVP/COO.

The Gateway Family YMCA and the YMCA Guardians for Child Protection, with support from YMCA of the USA, Darkness to Light, the Redwoods Group Foundation, and Praesidium have made materials available to help adults learn more about preventing child sexual abuse. For more information about preventing child sexual abuse, visit www.fivedaysofaction.org.

Child Sexual Abuse Statistics - Provided by Darkness to Light
• One in ten children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday.
• 90% of child sexual abuse victims know their abuser.
• Approximately 30% of children who are sexually abused are abused by family members.
• 60% of child sexual abuse victims never tell anyone.
• False reports are rare. Research shows that only 4 to 8% of child sexual abuse reports are fabricated.

What to do if You Believe a Child is Being Abused - Provided by Darkness to Light
• You do not need to have proof that abuse is occurring to make a report, only reasonable suspicion. Reasonable suspicion means that you have witnessed maltreatment or boundary violations, either in the child or adult, or both. Or, you have received a disclosure from a child about abuse, neglect, or boundary violations towards them.
• Child sexual abuse reports should be made to the police and/or state child protective services.
• Contact the Darkness to Light Helpline at 866-FOR-LIGHT to have questions answered by trained counselors at no charge.

For more information about child abuse prevention programs and activities during the month of April, and throughout the year, visit www.tgfymca.org or contact your local YMCA.