{"id":35214,"date":"2024-04-15T10:14:54","date_gmt":"2024-04-15T14:14:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/?p=35214"},"modified":"2024-04-15T10:14:55","modified_gmt":"2024-04-15T14:14:55","slug":"ymca-encourages-parents-to-have-an-uncomfortable-conversation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/?p=35214","title":{"rendered":"YMCA encourages parents to have an uncomfortable conversation"},"content":{"rendered":"
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YGBW teacher engages a group of children in STEM activities, demonstrating the Rule of Three, which ensures that staff are never left one-on-one with a single child, thus reducing the likelihood of abuse.<\/p><\/div>\n

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the YMCA of Greater Brandywine (YGBW) is taking steps to educate parents and caregivers, by participating in the Five Days of Action campaign. Five Days of Action is a weeklong campaign to raise awareness and inspire adults to protect children from sexual abuse. It takes place from April 15-19, 2024.<\/p>\n

Nearly 25% of girls and 5% of boys in the United States reported sexual abuse, according to data provided by Praesdium and the Centers for Disease Control. Sadly, the number of children in the US who have experienced abuse is likely even higher because 60-80% of victims will not disclose their abuse.<\/p>\n

To reduce these rates, YGBW recommends a common and accessible tool – talking. Talking about sexual abuse is key to making children feel comfortable enough to report it \u2013 and can help prevent it from happening.<\/p>\n

Because talking about sexual abuse can be uncomfortable for caregivers, the Y recommends a resource called Hot Chocolate Talks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Hot Chocolate Talks outlines facts for caregivers and provides tips, tools and talking points to guide the conversation. Talking points are provided by age range, helping to ensure that the conversation is age-appropriate for children.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs an educator at the Y, I\u2019ve benefited from child abuse prevention training and know that we all have a role to play in keeping children safe in our community,\u201d shares Claudia Aust, Senior Association Director of Youth Development for YGBW.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn addition to being an educator, I\u2019m also a parent,\u201d she continues. \u201cI understand how uncomfortable these conversations can feel \u2013 but they don\u2019t have to be. The resources provided by Hot Chocolate Talks make the conversation easier to start \u2013 and more likely to stick with your child.\u201d<\/p>\n

To help parents and guardians feel more comfortable talking about sexual abuse, YGBW shares helpful tips.<\/p>\n