Child Sexual Abuse Prevention/Education

Fair Haven's Child Sexual Abuse Prevention/Education Department has some exciting updates. First, we welcome Rachael McConnell as the new coordinator of the department. She is very excited to step into the position and provide crucial and free prevention education.

In 2021 alone, the department went into numerous schools all over Northwest Indiana, USA, and presented to 19,585 students. While the department's reach continues to grow, potential areas of improvement within education have been identified.

Fair Haven RCC has been developing relationships within the schools over the years and has continued researching the outcome of this education. Research shows that differently-abled students' specific needs may not be being met during the presentations. Additionally, Northwest Indiana has a large Spanish-speaking population. Meaning that there are a lot of students who predominantly speak Spanish. If they do not receive the education in the language most familiar and comfortable to them, they might miss important concepts.

Inclusion within education is paramount. Having prevention education that can be modified to meet all student's needs is what the department is actively working towards. Fair Haven RCC takes pride in providing excellent prevention education to the community. Through hard work and donations from supporters like you, we can offer schools the materials to ensure each student receives resources for empowerment and support.

Links:

• Fair Haven RCC's Prevention Education Website

Starting with the Child Lures curriculum and a community campaign against child sexual abuse in 2017, Fair Haven Rape Crisis Center began using prevention to fulfill our vision of creating a caring, safe and nurturing community with zero tolerance for violence... and it continues today. Through education and outreach, staff have shared the opportunity for FREE child sexual abuse prevention education, mandated in the state of Indiana, everywhere in NWI and with anyone that will listen. The message continues to spread and our program continue to grow!

The famous childhood song, originally written as a poem by Welsh composer Joseph Parry (21 May 1841 – 17 February 1903), is a great analogy for the reason behind the growth of the child sexual abuse prevention program over the years.

Make new friends,
But keep the old.
One is silver,
And the other, gold.
A circle's round
It has no end,
That's how long
I'm gonna be your friend.

A fire burns bright,
It warms the heart.
We’ve been friends,
From the very start.
You help me,
And I’ll help you,
And together
We will see it through.

Partnering with local school districts, we formed relationships that have continued over the years and created ‘sparks’ of interest in other school districts, as well as, with other types of youth-serving organizations. Regardless of position changes or new staffing, several school districts have faithfully ensured to reserve dates for presentations year after year. We have also noticed, by good report and referral, other districts reach out to get information and then openly invite our program into their schools. This year we have been contacted by different youth-serving organizations and churches requesting education for kid’s ministry staff and volunteers.

None of this growth is possible without generous support and the warmth of relationships. Taking a moment of reflection, here at the end of this year, the ‘fire’ and passion has not wavered. Our friends that believed in our mission and vision, empowered us to start. Adding friends that we have collected over the years, maintain our mission and vision. The future is bright as we see the value of investment come full circle. Together, we will see this through. Each of you are more valuable to us than silver or gold.

Links:

• Fair Haven RCC's Invests in Prevention
• Fair Haven, Inc. on Global Giving