Every 10 seconds in
America, someone
reports to the
authorities that they
believe a child is being
abused. That's a
staggering amount —
and yet the
professionals who help
these children believe
the actual incidence of
abuse and neglect in our
country is three times
higher than what's
reported. Take a stand:
Learn the signs of child
abuse and neglect. Find
out how to make a
report. And discover
the ways you can
volunteer with and
donate to the
organizations that help
the children who cannot
help themselves. When
you help to save a child,
you do more than save
that child today. You
save the future.
America, someone
reports to the
authorities that they
believe a child is being
abused. That's a
staggering amount —
and yet the
professionals who help
these children believe
the actual incidence of
abuse and neglect in our
country is three times
higher than what's
reported. Take a stand:
Learn the signs of child
abuse and neglect. Find
out how to make a
report. And discover
the ways you can
volunteer with and
donate to the
organizations that help
the children who cannot
help themselves. When
you help to save a child,
you do more than save
that child today. You
save the future.
| First Light Child Advocacy Center of Grant County |
Here are some suggestions for preventing victimization of children:
***For more information on your responsibility of preventing and reporting abuse contact First
Light for your free copy of the booklet entitled: Child Abuse Prevention: Roles and
Responsibilities. Additional copies are available for distribution to your church, club or other
organization
 | Teach kids the correct names of body parts. This will help them communicate | |
| more clearly with trusted adults about touching problems. | ||
| Children should be taught not to let older people kiss them, hold them, touch | |
| them, or make them touch others in ways that make the Child feel uncomfortable. Cautioning children, "Don't let anyone touch you," is simply not adequate. They need concrete suggestions, and role-playing ("what would you do if...?") can be helpful. And as children get older, they need increasingly detailed information. |
| Teach children to report any touch, action, or talk that feels uncomfortable - no | |
| matter who the source is, or how close the relationship. This applies to all kinds of touch, including hitting and bullying. It is important to teach youngsters to be wary of strangers, BUT: the vast majority of victims are molested by adults or older kids whom they know, trust, and - in many cases - love. |
| Kids should be taught never to keep bad secrets. These are often secrets that | |
| will get grown-ups or older kids in trouble if they are discovered or told. Bad secrets might involve stealing, lying, breaking rules - or inappropriate sexual touching. Good secrets are usually surprises, like presents or parties, which will make other people happy when they become known. |
| Make sure children know which adults can be trusted and to whom they should go | |
| if they have questions or concerns (for example, parents, teachers, school counselors, police). And make sure kids know that telling bad secrets is NOT the same as tattling. |
| Let your children know that they are loved unconditionally. No matter what they | |
| do or what is done to them, they need to know that you will love them just the same. You know that, but they need to HEAR it - and OFTEN. Many kids don't tell about sexual abuse because they're afraid that family members will think them bad or unlovable because they "let" the abuse happen. Help them understand that it is not their fault. |
| If your child discloses abuse, believe him or her and immediately report the abuse | |
| to the police or your local Department of Family and Children Services. Then get help for your child and for yourself. |
***For more information on your responsibility of preventing and reporting abuse contact First
Light for your free copy of the booklet entitled: Child Abuse Prevention: Roles and
Responsibilities. Additional copies are available for distribution to your church, club or other
organization
Prevention
Prevent Child Abuse, Grant County (PCA) is just one of the several statewide
network chartered councils representing Prevent Child Abuse Indiana. PCA Grant
County has several functions dedicated to the prevention of abuse and neglect of
children.
Quarterly newsletters are just part of that function, along with community education.
PCA Grant County also offers the opportunity for the application of mini-grants for
programs dedicated to the betterment of children.
There is also an Indiana PCA group.
If you are interested in becoming a prevention partner of Prevent Child Abuse Grant
County or volunteer opportunities to help stop the abuse of children, please contact us
for additional information.
Check out the website for Prevent Child Abuse Indiana www.preventchildabuse.org
or www.pcain.org
network chartered councils representing Prevent Child Abuse Indiana. PCA Grant
County has several functions dedicated to the prevention of abuse and neglect of
children.
Quarterly newsletters are just part of that function, along with community education.
PCA Grant County also offers the opportunity for the application of mini-grants for
programs dedicated to the betterment of children.
There is also an Indiana PCA group.
If you are interested in becoming a prevention partner of Prevent Child Abuse Grant
County or volunteer opportunities to help stop the abuse of children, please contact us
for additional information.
Check out the website for Prevent Child Abuse Indiana www.preventchildabuse.org
or www.pcain.org
Want to Contribute to First Light?
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Use caution in discussing the allegations with your child. Repeatedly approaching the
topic may cause your child to shut you and others out rather than feel like he or she can
open up. However, if he or she brings up the subject and needs to discus it, you should
listen and respond supportively.
Your child needs to me assured that it was not his or her fault.
Other things you can say that will help your child:
• I believe you.
• I’m so proud that you told; that was a brave thing to do.
• I’m so sorry this happened to you.
• I’m upset, but not at you.
• I am angry at the person who did this.
• You are not to blame for anything.
Some things you can do:
• Return to a normal routine as soon as possible.
• See that your child receives therapy as soon as possible.
• Teach your child the rules of personal safety. Tell them what to do if someone tries
to touch them in an uncomfortable way.
• Never coach or advise your child on how to act or what to say to professionals or
investigators. This could seriously damage the case and confuse or upset your
child.
• Have NO contact with the suspect.
• Understand your child’s needs or unusual requests for physical closeness to you.
• Prepare the child for what may happen since he or she told about the abuse.
• Do not promise the child that he or she will never have anything bad happen to \
them again.
topic may cause your child to shut you and others out rather than feel like he or she can
open up. However, if he or she brings up the subject and needs to discus it, you should
listen and respond supportively.
Your child needs to me assured that it was not his or her fault.
Other things you can say that will help your child:
• I believe you.
• I’m so proud that you told; that was a brave thing to do.
• I’m so sorry this happened to you.
• I’m upset, but not at you.
• I am angry at the person who did this.
• You are not to blame for anything.
Some things you can do:
• Return to a normal routine as soon as possible.
• See that your child receives therapy as soon as possible.
• Teach your child the rules of personal safety. Tell them what to do if someone tries
to touch them in an uncomfortable way.
• Never coach or advise your child on how to act or what to say to professionals or
investigators. This could seriously damage the case and confuse or upset your
child.
• Have NO contact with the suspect.
• Understand your child’s needs or unusual requests for physical closeness to you.
• Prepare the child for what may happen since he or she told about the abuse.
• Do not promise the child that he or she will never have anything bad happen to \
them again.
How to Best Help Your Child
For a List of items on our wish list click here
Local Churches that are helping give back to First Light.
First Light is always in need of several things one of those is volunteers. If
you would like to volunteer please contact us.
you would like to volunteer please contact us.
| First Light 707 N. River Dr. Suite B Marion, Indiana 46952 Phone: 765-668-8082 Fax: 765-668-8087 |
"We shall have no higher priority than to protect our children."
| Our Goals |
How Can I Help?