Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Education for Parents and Caregivers
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Safe families = Empowered kids!
Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a very real and devastating issue. Unfortunately, up until recent events at Penn State, it has mostly remained in the dark. But the statistics don't lie: 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused before the age of 18. Unfortunately, the abusers of the world have two very powerful allies: ignorance and shame. Many are unaware of the prevalence of CSA, and those who have been abused are often too ashamed to talk about it. These circumstances have allowed CSA to be quietly perpetuated generation after generation after generation, and with enormous social consequences. The simple way to break this cycle is through prevention education and awareness and that is what my training is designed to do. We teach our kids to stay safe in almost every facet of life. I am here to teach you how to keep your kids safe from those who would prey on vulnerable children. This is my mission. My trainings will teach you what to look for and what questions to ask of adults and other caregivers, and how to have direct, age-appropriate conversations about CSA with your children. By doing this we empower them and, we open a channel of dialog about this sensitive issue, should anything happen to them. So many of the parents that I have educated over the years have all said, if I had known how to talk about it, I would have started sooner! What is Prevention? Prevention is talking about it before it happens because you understand the risk and consequences if you don’t. Prevention is accepting the reality that there is risk if your child is left alone with an adult or older, more powerful children. The reality is, 80% of abuse happens in these exact situations. Like with any other safety concern (car seats, pool, bike helmets), when we understand how, we are much better equipped to deal with and prepare for any possible risk. It does not mean that we don’t go ride our bikes, or swim in the pool. We go out of our way to protect kids by being vigilant while they swim and making sure that they understand the risk and when they are old enough, teach them to swim. That is the power of prevention! About Svava Brooks
A certified trainer and facilitator for Darkness to Light Stewards of Children, an evidence-based Child Sexual Abuse Prevention training. Svava has provided education and trainings on child abuse and prevention to thousands of adults and teenagers in Iceland and now in Southern California.
Svava is also a parent of 3 children and an advocate for survivors of child sexual abuse. She provides support groups and coaching for adult survivors of Child Sexual Abuse. |
Is Your Child in Safe Hands?
CSA is Child Sexual Abuse. Survey done by Darkness to Light 2012
Awareness & Education is the First Step
Practicing in a safe group with other parents helps to prepare yourself to sit with your kids to talk about child sexual abuse safety. You can take what you learn from our program and use it to create a family safety plan that you and your family are comfortable with. Discussing with other parents, asking the questions parents need to ask any youth service organization to ensure they are making sure your child is safe at all times. Sharing tools, books, and cartoons that are age appropriate for your child to learn about their bodies, secrets and for older kids about sex. 
Testimonials: “You made a subject that is extremely sensitive, very safe and easy to talk about.” Gabriella Marrewa, Mother of 2, Co-Chair of Rainbow Kids Integral Preschool “I would highly recommend this presentation to anyone who is a parent, anyone who plans to be a parent, or anyone in a position to teach children these important tools so that we as a community can protect them and help them protect themselves.” Carolyn Sam, AmeriCorps*VISTA First Things First “I would like to thoughtfully recommend the CSA presentation to all parents, teachers, and childcare providers. It is informative without being threatening. It is helpful and thoughtful without "over-doing" it. You will be glad this presentation crossed your path.” Anne K. Lewis, Director, Pilgrim Children's Center |
