The following is a press release from the South Mountain YMCA.
We see it too often on the front page of the newspaper and now it even headlines the evening news – the nationally recognized research indicates the tragedy of Child Sexual Abuse is scarring children. Did you know that 1 in 10 children are sexually abused before their 18th birthday?
This crime against our most vulnerable is even harder to understand when you realize that 90% of victims know their abuser. While the recent allegation within our own South Orange/Maplewood community brings this issue home in a startling way, the reality is, it is happening to many other children in our neighborhoods and families.
The problem of child sexual abuse is complicated and multi-faceted. One of the most proactive and practical approaches to diminishing child sexual abuse
is to educate responsible adults in our community by providing tools to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.
In our community, we know that KIDS MATTER. The South Mountain YMCA, in partnership with the volunteers of Y TOGETHERHOOD, South Orange Rotary, Maplewood South Orange Kiwanis and Assemblyman John McKeon, invite EVERY member of our community to join us in taking a step to eliminate this tragedy and make a difference in the life of a child.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and the South Mountain YMCA is offering a FREE, evidence-based training on April 12, 2015 at The Woodland at 60 Woodland Road, in Maplewood.
We will also be providing a FREE interactive Mad Science show (for children ages 3 and above) in a separate room of The Woodlands under YMCA qualified and trained staff, to help facilitate your attendance at the Stewards of Children training.
Please consider joining us for this important initiative and share with others.
Here is a link directly to the registration page for your convenience – www.metroymcas.org/ preventnow Please click on this a brief podcast with volunteers discussing the format and intention of the training.
A flier is linked HERE with all information and online registration.
