CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Charleston AFB will be offering free sexual abuse prevention training through the Darkness to Light program at the Airmen and Family Readiness Flight classroom Wednesday starting at 1:30 p.m.
Darkness to Light is a national non-profit organization, initiated in Charleston in 2000, to provide public awareness and education on child sexual abuse issues. According to their mission statement, their goal is to shift responsibility for preventing child sexual abuse from children to adults and to provide adults with information to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. The program currently is implemented in 37 states and in four countries.
The Stewards of Children sexual abuse prevention training program, just one of many ways Darkness to Light increases awareness, was started in May 2006 as a way to educate organizations and corporations that serve children and youth. This August, the two-and-a-half hour training sessions will be held at venues all over the Charleston area and voluntarily funded by local businesses.
"The training program is organized to go into all communities to conduct their presentations rather than requiring attendees to travel a long distance and have to overcome obstacles such as time, transportation needs and traffic congestion," said Jim Hernandez, 437th Medical Group Family Advocacy Outreach manager. "Their assumption is that more people will take advantage of the child protection training if it is offered near their homes in a familiar setting."
By bringing this program on base, facilitators hope to spread the word on how Team Charleston and their families can be more aware of sexual abuse. Base representatives will be present to answer any questions about Air Force programs and services that address the issue. Bringing the program on base is another way Charleston military members can create another community partnership.
"All adult Air Force family members are concerned about the protection of their children and of other children in their communities," said Mr. Hernandez. "However, many are not familiar with the most appropriate way to respond when learning of an accusation of child sexual abuse, or when they suspect such abuse might have occurred. The training will prepare them for how to best respond to such an incident and provide them with information about available community services."
According to the Darkness to Light statistics, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused before the age of 18 and less than 1 victim in 10 will tell someone it happened. Research suggests that adults do not know how to recognize the signs of sexual abuse or what steps to take if it happens or is discovered.
"We are looking to make people more responsive of how to protect their children and recognize the signs of sexual abuse," said Veronica Griffin, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator for the 437th Airlift Wing. "Sometimes parents just think their children are getting older and getting more defiant, but maybe these are signs of something serious happening that they're not paying attention to."
After the training, participants will be able to understand how child sexual abuse happens, understand the facts and statistics, and walk away with the resources to react responsibility to child abuse incidents.
"The program is tailored to train on children risk reduction skills to recognize and respond to childhood sexual assault and sexual abuse," said. Ms. Griffin.
To register for the free training program, contact Ms. Griffin at 963-7898. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday at noon.