“Darkness to Light” is a nationwide initiative designed to teach adults how to protect children from child sexual abuse that the Child Advocacy Centers in Rutherford and Cannon Counties began implementing last year.
The three-hour training was developed in Charleston, S.C. “Darkness to Light” Step 2 shows how to limit opportunities for sexual child abuse to occur.
Eighty percent or more of child sexual abuse incidents happen in isolated, one-on-one situations, according to the Crimes Against Children Research Center in research conducted by David Finkelhor in 2012.
“When we reduce or eliminate isolated one-on-one situations we can lower the risk of child sexual abuse,” stated Ryan Wallace, Child Advocacy Center community education coordinator.
“Offenders groom victims,” said Wallace. “They become friendly with the child and the child’s family and earn their trust by participating in family activities and gaining access to time alone with the child. Grooming is a process where gradually the offender draws the child into a sexual relationship and tells the child to keep it a secret.”
According to the “Darkness to Light” Interactive Workbook used in the trainings, grooming activities include:
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Contact Ryan Wallace at the Child Advocacy Center of Rutherford County (615) 867-9000 or Amanda Pruitt at the Cannon County Child Advocacy Center (615) 563-9915 to schedule the “Darkness to Light” training for your organization and learn more about minimizing opportunities for offenders to have access to your child.
