ADULTS STEP UP AND SPEAK OUT TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL ABUSE

YMCAs promoting child protection during National Child Abuse Prevention Month

The YMCA of Metro North, with branch locations in Melrose, Stoneham, Saugus, Lynn and Peabody, is marking Child Abuse Prevention Month with Five Days of Action, April 22- 26, 2019. Leading up to Healthy Kids Day®–a national initiative to improve the health and well-being of kids–Five Days of Action focuses on preventing child sexual abuse by sharing tips on how adults can step up and speak out to prevent child sexual abuse.

During April and all year long, the YMCA of Metro North encourages adults and organizations in the community to play a vital role in making Melrose, Stoneham, Saugus, Lynn and Peabody a safer place for children. By encouraging adults to step up and speak out, we can bring awareness to the issue of child sexual abuse in our communities and foster conversations around how we can all work together to prevent it from happening.

“Protecting children from sexual abuse must be the number one goal of every person who cares about the health and well-being of kids,” said Kathleen Walsh, Chief Executive Officer of the Metro North YMCA. “It takes all of us to stand up and protect children. As adults, we have an obligation to take action, it is as simple as that!”

CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE STATISTICS – PROVIDED BY DARKNESS TO LIGHT

  • One in ten children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday.
  • 90% of child sexual abuse victims know their abuser.
  • Approximately 30% of children who are sexually abused are abused by family members.
  • 60% of child sexual abuse victims never tell anyone.
  • False reports are rare. Research shows that only 4 to 8% of child sexual abuse reports are fabricated.

The YMCA of Metro North, and the YMCA Guardians for Child Protection, with support from YMCA of the USA, Darkness to Light, the Redwoods Group Foundation, and Praesidium have made materials available to help adults learn more about preventing child sexual abuse.

For more information about preventing child sexual abuse visit www.fivedaysofaction.org.