FIVE DAYS OF ACTION: TOGETHER WE CAN PROTECT CHILDREN FROM ABUSE

This week is Five Days of Action. Organizations, like the Y, and individuals across the country are campaigning to raise awareness and take action to protect children from sexual abuse. 

The world looks a little different right now. As our communities continue to press pause and participate in social distancing, we know that protecting kids looks different this year. Not only is our community dealing with a pandemic that is separating kids in need from the safe adults in their lives, but there are spikes in domestic violence, cries for social justice for Black lives, and more concerns about the mental health of youth and adults.

Five Days of Action helps communities and parents/caregivers take it ‘One Day at a Time’ and offer tips, tools, activities, and resources that are relevant to the current environment.

When adults know how abuse happens, see the warning signs, and respond quickly to prevent abuse, they foster a culture of child abuse prevention. Together, we can bring awareness to the issue of child sexual abuse in our communities and have important conversations around how we can all work together to prevent it from happening.

What can you do?

Become an advocate! When you advocate with the Y, you take an active role in bringing about meaningful, enduring change for your family, friends and community. As part of Five Days of Action, click the link below to act today and ask Congress to add the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) in their latest COVID-19 relief bills: https://ymca.quorum.us/campaign/29306/

Talk To Your Kids! Even very young children can learn some skills to help keep themselves safe from sexual abuse, but it’s up to parents to help them learn what they need to know. Here is are some resources your family can use to keep kids safe:

• The Family Code of Conduct
• Tips for Protecting Youth
• Parents Guide to Teaching Children About Their Bodies
• Keep Your Kids Safe On The Internet
• “One Day At A Time” Caregiver Activities

Learn More! Take the Protecting Children During a Crisis training at no charge: https://www.d2l.org/education/additional-training/protecting-children-during-crisis/

Becoming an advocate and talking with other adults and kids, we are setting expectations for everyone about what keeping kids safe means. Thank you!