Downingtown Friends holds anti-abuse program

The Downingtown Friends Meeting will host a program next week on combatting child sexual abuse.

The Downingtown Friends Meeting, a Quaker congregation, will host a program next week on combatting child sexual abuse, led by a representative of the Crime Victims Center of Chester County.

The open program comes as the community has become more aware of the statistic that one in 10 children experience sexual abuse before age 18, and that over 90 percent of those children know their abuser. In Chester County, the number of cases of reported abuse in 2017 were 1,924, up from 1,681 cases in 2016, an increase of 14.4 percent.

According to the crime victim’s center, child sexual abuse is one of the most prevalent health problems children face with the most serious array of consequences. Survivors are more likely to experience PTSD, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, delinquency, suicide, selfharm, eating disorders and other severe, life-altering impacts.

The center has been working with a number of agencies and community organizations to hold training sessions on how to recognize child abuse, and react responsibly.

The “Stewards of Children” program is designed for parents, mandated reporters such as teachers and nurses, organizations that serve youth, and individuals concerned about the safety of children. It is the only nationally distributed, evidence-informed program proven to increase knowledge, improve attitudes, and change child protective behaviors, according to the center.

The training includes compelling stories from experts and survivors about the importance of talking to kids early and often.

The program is free and open to the public, and will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 12, at the Downingtown Friends Meeting 800 E. Lancaster Ave. in Downingtown. Light refreshments will be served.

Those who are interested in attending the program, or who would like to scheduled a workshop for their community, are asked to contact Deborah Ryan at the Crime Victims’ Center, by e-mail at debr@cvcofcc.org or by phone at 610-692-1926 ext. 220.

To contact staff writer Michael P. Rellahan call 610-696-1544.