In observation of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Community Coalition to Protect Children will host Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children training on Tuesday, April 11, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the South College Auditorium, 400 Goody’s Lane.
The training is an evidence-informed program recognized by the National Children’s Alliance as the most effective tool to stop child sexual abuse. Local youth-serving agencies will be on hand at 5:30 p.m. before the training begins to offer information about their services. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is requested by emailing photosbyambler@gmail.com.
Michael Reed, a local advocate for preventing child sexual abuse, will speak at the event beginning at 6 p.m. Reed’s wife Constance and their two daughters, Chloe and Lily, were among the victims of the Nov. 28 Gatlinburg wildfire. Constance was a victim of child sexual abuse. Prior to her death, she created a video about the abuse she suffered as a child and shared it on Facebook as a way to inspire other victims to seek help. The video has since gone viral.
Constance’s video:
Following Reed’s presentation, Ambler Brown, a Stewards of Children facilitator, will conduct the training, which walks participants through a five-step approach. The session includes survivor stories, expert advice and practical guidance. Parents, those who work with children, and anyone who is interested are encouraged to attend.
According to the Child Welfare League of America, in 2013, more than 10,300 children were victims of abuse or neglect in Tennessee, which is a 3 percent increase from 2012. Of these children, 68.2 percent were neglected, 25.2 percent were sexually abused and 12.3 percent were physically abused.
Created to teach adults how to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse, the Community Coalition to Protect Children includes the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services East Tennessee Region; Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee; Helen Ross McNabb Center’s Therapy Center, Sexual Assault Center and Child Abuse Prevention Department; Community Coalition Against Human Trafficking; Renaissance Recovery; Childhelp; Anderson County Schools; Walking with Joy; Tracie Walker, LCSW; Youth Villages; Street Hope; Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee; Darkness to Light facilitators; Knox County Schools; and Knox County Health Department.
