Raise your hand if you have had or will have a physical exam this year. What about a dental checkup and tooth-cleaning? Okay, you don’t have to raise your hand, but consider the following:
- Annual physical exams comprise 8% of all doctor’s visits throughout the year.
- 45 million Americans will begin a diet this year, spending upwards of $2 billion on weight-loss programs.
- 15% of New Year’s resolutions include exercise, and over 40 million Americans have a gym membership.
If you are one of these people, you probably know that to be successful, these measures must be part of a larger policy: a policy of prevention that shapes your daily routines, your choices, and your relationships.
Child sexual abuse prevention is no different. It’s about policy –
- Individual policies, like having regular, open conversations with your children about concepts such as secrets and boundaries, choosing youth-serving organizations that make child safety a priority, and verifying each relationship to ensure your child is protected.
- Organizational policies, like limiting isolated, one-on-one situations, requiring thorough background screenings for potential employees and volunteers, and training employees on proper prevention and response practices.
As with physical check-ups and exercise, each facet of child sexual abuse prevention and response is important. And to be effective, they must be integrated into a larger policy that shapes routines, choices, and relationships for both families and organizations: a policy of prevention.