Darkness to Light Training
A Child's Safety is an Adult's Responsibility
The Child Advocacy Center provides Darkness to Light Stewards of Children child sexual abuse prevention training to teach parents, grandparents, and professionals how to protect children from child sexual abuse and what to do if a child reports abuse to them.
Experts estimate that 1 out of 10 children will be sexually abused by their 18th birthday. According to childwelfare.gov, only around 38% of child victims disclose their abuse. This means that in school classrooms, daycares, churches, Sunday schools, sports teams, choirs, marching bands, cheerleading squads, dance teams, and homes—everywhere you see children in our community – there are boys and girls who are silently bearing the burden of child sexual abuse alone. They need an adult they can trust; someone who will help them in their time of greatest need.
In the state of Tennessee, every adult is a mandatory reporter, but statistics show that most adults do not have the tools to adequately protect the children in their lives. Darkness to Light gives adults the knowledge and confidence to react responsibly to child sexual abuse.
When adults in our community increase their knowledge of how to protect children, we will reduce the number of child sexual abuse victims in Rutherford and Cannon Counties.
Training is provided virtually and in-person in both English and Spanish. The Child Advocacy Center Board of Directors remains committed to providing the training free of charge.
The CAC is participating in Five Days of Action from April 18-22, a week long campaign designed to bring awareness and inspire adults to Know, See, and Respond to child sexual abuse. Sign up to receive newsletters about Five Days of Action and other Darkness to Light events.
Interested in scheduling a FREE Darkness to Light training for your church, business, civic group, or organization? Questions about how to get involved? Contact Community Education Coordinator Carrie Norvell at (615) 867-9000 or sign up over email.
Where do I Start?
Darkness to Light teaches adults 5 Steps they can take every day to recognize and prevent child sexual abuse:
Step 1: Learn the Facts
1 in 10 children are sexually abused. 90% of them know their abuser.
Step 2: Minimize Opportunity
Eliminate or reduce isolated, one-on-one situations to decrease risk for abuse.
Step 3: Talk about it
Have open conversations with children about our bodies, sexual abuse, and boundaries.
Step 4: Recognize the Signs
Know the signs of abuse to protect children from further harm.
Step 5: React Responsibly
Respond to risky behaviors and act on suspicions.
Report abuse to the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services here or call (877) 237–0004