Eastern Carolina Parent - April 2009 - (Page 23) Child sexual abuse is a serious problem. It is estimated that one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before the age of 18. In the past four years, TEDI BEAR Children’s Advocacy Center has expanded our education and prevention efforts for parents, caregivers, community members, and professionals in the community who care for children. Using the “Stewards of Children” curriculum, this innovative prevention program encourages adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. The program is currently funded by the Pitt Memorial Hospital Foundation and North Carolina Children’s Trust Fund and promotes the idea that child safety is an adult’s job. A TEDI BEAR Feature to watch over me Step 6. Act on suspicions. react in the best interest of your child even if you have no suspicions that your child is being sexually abused. Formulating plans in advance can be of significant benefit to your child should abuse occur. The future well-being of a child is at stake. By acting on suspicions of child sexual abuse, you will save not only one child, but perhaps countless others. Step 7. Get involved. Volunteer and financially support organizations that fight the tragedy of child sexual abuse. Use your voice and your vote to make your community a safer place for our children To learn more about Stewards of Children and how adults and caregivers can prepare should a child disclose information regarding possible sexual abuse, visit www.easterncarolinaparent.com to read the rest of this article. Also, online are 12 Tips to avoid lashing out at your child. The TEDI BEAR Children’s Advocacy Center serves children ages birth to 18 years old and provide evaluation, treatment, and prevention of child abuse and neglect. We serve alleged victims of abuse and/or neglect, and their nonoffending caregivers from 29 counties of eastern North Carolina. The center provides childfocused collaborative services to reduce the trauma that occurs with abuse and/or neglect. The mission of TEDI BEAR Children’s Advocacy Center is to provide child abuse education, evaluation, prevention, and treatment to eastern North Carolina’s children, their families and their communities. Our comfortable, child-friendly environment helps lesson the trauma associated with child abuse. The training teaches adults “7 Steps to Protecting Our Children”, with each step being critically important in protecting our children from sexual abuse. The seven steps to protecting our children from abuse are: Step 1. Learn the facts. Understand the risks. Realities- not trust- should influence your decisions regarding children. Become aware of the significant threat that children face from child sexual abuse. Make decisions for children based on the facts of child sexual abuse rather than on level of trust in others. Step 2. Minimize opportunity. If you eliminate or reduce one-adult/onechild situations, you’ll dramatically lower the risk of sexual abuse for children. Step 3. Talk about it. Children often keep abuse a secret, but barriers can be broken down by talking openly about it.. Step 4. Stay alert. Don’t expect obvious signs when a child is being sexually abused. Signs of sexual abuse are often present, but the signs are often emotional or behavioral, not physical or verbal. It takes an alert adult to recognize these signs. Step 5. Make a plan. Learn where to go, who to call, and how to www.easterncarolinaparent.com www.TheCarterDifference.com 226 Commerce Street • Greenville 252-756-3991 ext. 217 Want to invest in your child’s future? Real Estate could be the answer! Call The Carter Difference for more details. Renee S. Carter 347-2602 Brad Carter 814-6602 Amy Whitehurst 531-2234 Eastern Carolina Parent : April 2009 2 http://www.TheCarterDifference.com http://www.easterncarolinaparent.com http://www.easterncarolinaparent.com
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