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SpanishArea agencies team up to prevent child sexual abuse
Child sexual abuse impacts 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys in the U.S., which is why the National Sexual Violence Resource Center is encouraging individuals and communities to learn more about it in an effort to help prevent it from occurring.
A local collaborative campaign to help prevent child sexual abuse was initiated in 2013 by the Child Abuse Council of Charlevoix and Emmet Counties; Great Start Collaborative of Emmet, Charlevoix and Northern Antrim Counties; and the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan, Inc., with the goal of getting information and resources into the hands of parents and educators to provide a better understanding of the issue; enabling them to become part of the solution in preventing this pervasive crime.
Through this prevention project, free informational materials have been offered to elementary schools in Charlevoix and Emmet counties to share with staff and parents of students in kindergarten through 3rd grade. Schools participating in the project include Alanson, Boyne City, Boyne Falls, Harbor Light, Pellston, St. Francs Xavier and Central, Lincoln and Sheridan schools in Petoskey. The cost of materials was funded by the partner agencies, as well as a $2,000 grant from the Char-Em United Way Emerging Needs Fund. During the two year campaign support was also provided by Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District and the Health Department of Northwest Michigan’s Early Childhood Behavioral Health Initiative.
“We decided to get this important information out to parents through local schools that were willing to participate in the program,” said Stacey Walsh-Hoobler, Clinical Director and Therapist with the Women’s Resource Center. “The information and resources are intended to help them understand their role in supporting healthy childhood development and how to talk with their children about a subject that can be difficult.”
Part of the prevention effort also includes an Early Childhood Networking Night for caregivers and parents held at the Char-Em ISD Taylor School for Exceptional Learners in Petoskey from 6:00-7:30 p.m., on Wednesday, April 9. Event topics include child sexual abuse prevention and the role of mandated reporters presented by Dar Charlebois, community prevention educator with the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan and Dana Stempky who will provide details on the Michigan Child Protection Law. The Early Childhood Networking Night is free of charge and includes dinner and child care. To register, parents and caregivers may call Susan Chowen of Great Start to Quality Northwest Resource Center at (231) 582-8070 or visit greatstartforkids.com.
Elementary schools in Charlevoix and Emmet counties that have yet to order the free prevention materials may inquire about availability by contacting Maggie Kromm, Executive Director of the Child Abuse Council of Charlevoix and Emmet Counties at 231-753-8511 or by emailing [email protected]. Information on healthy childhood sexual development and tips for talking to your child on this subject can also be found on the National Sexual Violence Resource Center website at nsvrc.org.
A local collaborative campaign to help prevent child sexual abuse was initiated in 2013 by the Child Abuse Council of Charlevoix and Emmet Counties; Great Start Collaborative of Emmet, Charlevoix and Northern Antrim Counties; and the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan, Inc., with the goal of getting information and resources into the hands of parents and educators to provide a better understanding of the issue; enabling them to become part of the solution in preventing this pervasive crime.
Through this prevention project, free informational materials have been offered to elementary schools in Charlevoix and Emmet counties to share with staff and parents of students in kindergarten through 3rd grade. Schools participating in the project include Alanson, Boyne City, Boyne Falls, Harbor Light, Pellston, St. Francs Xavier and Central, Lincoln and Sheridan schools in Petoskey. The cost of materials was funded by the partner agencies, as well as a $2,000 grant from the Char-Em United Way Emerging Needs Fund. During the two year campaign support was also provided by Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District and the Health Department of Northwest Michigan’s Early Childhood Behavioral Health Initiative.
“We decided to get this important information out to parents through local schools that were willing to participate in the program,” said Stacey Walsh-Hoobler, Clinical Director and Therapist with the Women’s Resource Center. “The information and resources are intended to help them understand their role in supporting healthy childhood development and how to talk with their children about a subject that can be difficult.”
Part of the prevention effort also includes an Early Childhood Networking Night for caregivers and parents held at the Char-Em ISD Taylor School for Exceptional Learners in Petoskey from 6:00-7:30 p.m., on Wednesday, April 9. Event topics include child sexual abuse prevention and the role of mandated reporters presented by Dar Charlebois, community prevention educator with the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan and Dana Stempky who will provide details on the Michigan Child Protection Law. The Early Childhood Networking Night is free of charge and includes dinner and child care. To register, parents and caregivers may call Susan Chowen of Great Start to Quality Northwest Resource Center at (231) 582-8070 or visit greatstartforkids.com.
Elementary schools in Charlevoix and Emmet counties that have yet to order the free prevention materials may inquire about availability by contacting Maggie Kromm, Executive Director of the Child Abuse Council of Charlevoix and Emmet Counties at 231-753-8511 or by emailing [email protected]. Information on healthy childhood sexual development and tips for talking to your child on this subject can also be found on the National Sexual Violence Resource Center website at nsvrc.org.