Download a pdf version of the press release – HERE
Download the full calendar of all April events – HERE
For Immediate Release
March 21, 2012
Did you know April is Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness Month?
HelpLine seeks to raise awareness about these important topics
April is a very important month for HelpLine of Delaware and Morrow Counties because even though we raise awareness about topics such as child abuse prevention and sexual assault awareness year round, this month is dedicated to getting the word out. April is packed full of events for people of all ages to support child abuse prevention and sexual assault awareness efforts.
There are many steps you can take in order to help raise awareness for this month. First, simply wear a teal or blue ribbon. The teal ribbon stands for sexual assault awareness and the blue ribbon stands for child abuse prevention. By wearing these ribbons you can create conversation about what they represent!
Other ways to help out is by: learning as much as you can about these issues, restrict situations where a child will be alone with an adult, promote the safety of youth/teens, address victim blaming statements by placing the blame on the perpetrators, and finally support those who have experienced child abuse or sexual assault by listening and encouraging them to get any wanted/needed help. All of these small actions can make a huge difference in raising awareness and preventing child abuse and sexual assault.
HelpLine also encourages you to take part in some of the events that are going on all month long! These events are listed below:
● Women can take part in the RAD Self Defense Training which is a program dedicated
to providing women with options around self defense, including physical techniques to
interrupt and address dangerous situations. Classes start on Wednesday, April 4th at 6
p.m. These classes are open to women and girls ages 14 and older. For more
information contact Shilo Gall at sgall@helplinedelmor.org or 614-507-5703.
● An event that is free for those who register quickly is the 5th Annual Sexual Assault
Awareness Month Conference held in Columbus, Ohio on April 11th from 8:30am to
4:15pm. The purpose of this conference is to to raise awareness around the issues
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning and Intersexed (LGBTQI)
survivors are currently facing regarding sexual and intimate partner violence. The goal is
to increase the competence of health care professionals and service providers working
with LGBTQI survivors who encounter these issues. Registration closes on April 4th and
seating is limited so make sure to register quickly. For more information go to
http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/787158/April-11-2012-SAAM-conference-Registration.
● Stop by the Delaware Main Library at 5:00pm on April 13th to hear a panel discussion by
local youth and adults about their experiences with bullying and to watch the film
Bullied: A Student, a School and a Case That Made History. Contact Corina Klies
cklies@helplinedelmor.org for more information.
● Don’t Stand-By, Stand Up. Join us for the 1st Annual 5K Run/Walk to eliminate sexual
violence. This event takes places April 14th at 9:30am at Scioto Audubon Metro Park.
Registration is $25.00 (pre-race) and $30.00 the week of the race. Proceeds will benefit
Deaf World against Violence Everywhere (DWAVE) and The Sexual Assault Response
Network of Central Ohio (SARNCO). Contact Maytal Russ at mruss@ohiohealth.com for
more details.
● National Day of Silence: On April 20, 2012, youth in Delaware will be participating in
the Day of Silence in their schools. Bullying and harassment are major problems for
lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender, and questioning students. On this day, students
across the state and nation will recognize the Day of Silence. The Day of Silence, a
project of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), is a student-led
movement where those who support making anti-LGBTQ bias unacceptable in schools
take a day-long vow of silence to recognize and protest the discrimination and
harassment experienced by LGBTQ students. Contact Corina Klies at
cklies@helplinedelmor.org for additional information.
● Breaking the Silence: Saturday, April 21. At this event open to all, we will officially
“break the silence” from the day before, taking the opportunity to speak out in support of
LGBTQI youth and celebrating our efforts to transform our communities. Beginning at
4pm – Community Celebration. Location TBD. Contact Corina Klies at
cklies@helplinedelmor.org for additional information.
● Sex Trafficking of Minors, Slavery Alive in Ohio A discussion of Human Trafficking:
Learn more about Gracehaven, its mission, and how to get involved at
www.gracehavenhouse.org. Join the first Presbyterian Church of Delaware for a
discussion of Human Trafficking with Gracehaven House Director Jeff Barrows and
Human Trafficking survivor Theresa Flores. Registration begins at 10:30am, followed by
discussion at 11am. Stick around at Noon for a free lunch catered by the Delaware
Community Market, and at 12:30pm for a panel discussion on modern-day slavery with
local service providers. Please register at 740-363-1205 by April 18th to reserve your
spot or call for more information.
● Walk a Mile in Her Shoes: At this event, men in our community gather to walk one mile on
April 22, 2012 through town to raise awareness about sexual assault and demonstrate their support of
those affected by it. Contact Nora Flanagan at nflanagan@helplinedelmor.org to learn
more.
● Write to Heal Workshop: This workshop will present one way to heal through journal
writing. It will be held from 6-8pm on Tuesday, April 24th in Columbus, Ohio. Contact
Lydia Guirguis lguirguis@helplinedelmor.org for more information.
● Boys and Men Healing Big Voice:On April 26th, at the Ohio State University, the
powerful film Boys and Men Healing which deals with the subject of men sexually
abused as children and those who care about them, will be shown with a guided
discussion following it. For more information about the film, please go to
www.bigvoicepictures.com.
● 4th Annual Prevention & Pancakes: DCDJFS will be hosting the 4th Annual Pancakes
for Prevention breakfast. The event will be held April 28, 2012 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at
Willis Intermediate School. There will be carnival games for families to participate in and
a free pancake breakfast. There will also be a speaker presenting on preventing child
abuse.You can participate by having an information booth, providing a game for the
children or both. Please contact Amber Huber at hubera02@odjfs.state.oh.us if you wish
to participate or have any questions.
● Stewards of Children Training Darkness to Light’s® Stewards of Children is a
revolutionary sexual abuse prevention training program founded in response to
staggering statistics. HelpLine is committed to protecting our children by empowering
adults to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse through our
Stewards of Children training. Designed for organizations that serve children and youth,
concerned parents and community members, the training teaches that protecting
children is an adults job. For more information, contact Shilo Gall at
sgall@helplinedelmor.org or call 1.614.507.5703 to register for the instructor-led training
in your area.
All of these events are a great way to get involved with your community and support a great cause! To learn more about these issues feel free to visit:
- http://www.nsvrc.org/saam – to learn about Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
- http://www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/preventionmonth/ – to learn more about Child Abuse Prevention Month.
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