National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse
National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse
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NAASCA Highlights
EDITOR'S NOTE: Occasionally we bring you articles from local newspapers, web sites and other sources that constitute but a small percentage of the information available to those who are interested in the issues of child abuse and recovery from it.
We also present original articles we hope will inform the community ...
Note: Angela Williams appeared as a SPECIAL GUEST on our "Stop Child Abuse Now" Internet-based radio talk show. It's now available as an "on demand" pod cast through our archives (which can be heard in the background). To listen CLICK HERE:
Atlanta-based "VOICE Today" is breaking the silence and cycle of child sexual abuse worldwide through Awareness , Prevention, and Healing. Child Sexual Abuse is a silent epidemic. As we know, 1 in 4 Girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused before their 18th birthday, only 1 in 10 will ever tell and 90% of abuse is by someone they know love and trust! There are an estimated 39,000,000 survivors in the US that need a VOICE!
As child advocates, VOICE Today asks you to take a stand with us against this horrific evil. Be trained, alert and have the courage to intervene when a child is in danger. Understand that child sexual abuse is a crime. If you have been a victim of child sexual abuse, we plead with you to break the silence, and stand up for your lost innocence. They plead with you to release the secret, stand in your rightful place and raise your voice.
A Faith-based organization,
VOICE promotes the following social changes:
Removing the stigma of child sexual abuse from the victim
Creating an informed and alert society to proactively protect children instead of waiting for a child to disclose after the physical and emotional damage is done.
AWARENESS: Get to Know the Facts:
Numbers of Children Sexually Abused before 18th Birthday:
1 in 4 Girls 1 in 6 Boys Only 1 in 10 tell and
90% are abused by someone they know, trust, and love.
70-80% of sexual abuse survivors report excessive drug and alcohol use.
50% of male survivors have suicidal thoughts &more than 20% attempt suicide.
Young girls who are sexually abused are more likely to develop eating disorders as adolescents.
Over 60% of teen first pregnancies are preceded by experiences of sexual abuse
The average age of the offenders is 27
Approximately 40% of sex offenders report having been sexually abused as children.
Both men & women who have been sexually abused are more likely to engage in prostitution
About the Predator
Approximately 70% of sexual offenders of children have between 1 and 9 victims
20-25% have 10 to 40 victims
Serial child molesters may have as many as 400 victims in their lifetimes
"The taboo against talking about incest is stronger than the taboo against doing it."- Maria Sauzier, M.D.
You can make a difference! Become Educated!
PLEDGE to Protect:
Workshops are designed to be taught to small groups but can be tailored to fit almost any need. In addition, each workshop can be taught at one time or broken down into smaller sessions. Our facilitators are trained to recognize the needs of the group they are working with and are flexible and adaptable to whatever a situation calls for.
Child Sexual Abuse is predictable and preventable. Sponsor a Prevention Workshop in your community, church or youth serving organization. Contact VOICE Today to organize a workshop to protect the children in your world.
Workshops
Tough Talk to Tender Hearts
Learn how to have a lifetime of age-appropriate conversations with your children about healthy sexuality and personal boundaries -
FACILITATOR LED -
Learn to protect them and help them to protect themselves
Internet Safety 101 (Produced by Enough is Enough)
Learn valuable information, techniques and skills to help you maintain a safe, entertaining and informative environment online. Learn about the dangers of predators and pornography on the Internet and how you can be trained to better protect your children and the future.
Stewards of Children (Produced by Darkness To Light) - 7-Steps to Protect Children from Child Sexual Abuse
This workshop is designed to educate adults about the risks of child sexual abuse and to establish a plan of protection for each child.
It seeks to remove the “responsibility to protect” from the child, and place it on informed adults who accept the responsibility to be alert, watchful and prevention/protection oriented. Prevention is the answer!
Cherished
This presentation is tailored to children from ages 5-12 and their parents together to educate both on personal boundaries, their value as a child of God, and their powerful “NO” Voice. Subject is age appropriate and mild in nature. Can be taught in conjunction with Choices when appropriate.
Choices
Middle- and High School-aged young people are unique audiences with unique challenges. This workshop is designed to add substance to knowledge that may already be had by these two age groups. Personal boundaries, a person's value as a child of God, the importance of purity, God's perfect design for sex, and the right to use their “NO” Voice are topics covered in this workshop. Parents are encouraged to attend with their young person.
The Divorce Dilemma
During family crises that lead to divorce, a child can be especially vulnerable to predators. This workshop provides insight into the special risks in these circumstances and recommends approaches and tools to enhance the child's safety.
The Grooming "Mystery"
The behavior of a perpetrator is devious, calculated and persistent. What starts as a seemingly innocent relationship with the child is transformed into a time of treachery and horror for the child. The grooming process is subtle and manipulative, stripping the child of all power and a voice. This workshop describes patterns of behaviors seen in perpetrators and provides steps that can be taken proactively to enhance a child's safety.
HEALING:
For the adult survivor child sexual abuse is a devastating and debilitating trauma, whether it was a one-time occurrence or happened frequently over many years. When you break your silence, healing can begin. When you release the power the secret has held over you sometimes for many years, it helps understand that you were a child and you had no power. God wants to heal those wounds and we are here to help you.
VOICE Today, Inc offers three approaches for the survivor to pursue healing as follows:
Healing Workshops -- Time To Heal Workshop ,
Boundaries,
Splinters of Shame, Freedom in Forgiveness,
Survivor Struggles in the Workplace,
Redeem the Dream,
Courage to Speak,
True Intimacy,
Freedom in Forgiveness
Retreats --
The VOICE of Peace Retreat -
Participate in a 3-day retreat specifically for female adult survivors of child sexual abuse. Bask in the loving prayer and support of the lay staff, who will pray with you, as you seek God's generous blessing on your path to achieve victory over the evil of your youth. -
2012 Dates: Women's September 21st – 23rd
Support Groups --
For the adult survivor child sexual abuse is a devastating and debilitating life event, whether it was a one-time occurrence or happened frequently over many years. In addition to our other healing resources, we recommend attending a support group that is specifically designed for child sexual abuse survivors. -
Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, Marietta, GA -
1st & 3rd Tuesdays
Global Efforts:
Child Sexual Abuse increases a child's vulnerability to commercial sexual exploitation. Our goal is to bring global awareness, prevention & protection.
Trained VOICE Facilitator in Eastern Europe teaching prevention.
7 City Eastern Europe Awareness Tour with Training Workshops begins June 2011.
VOICE Facilitator presenting VOICE Message in Jamaica May 2011
Planning for VOICE Workshops to be presented in Africa.
Interview with founder Angela Williams to be aired in Ghana, South Africa, London, Nigeria & USA.
In the MEDIA:
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Voice Today - Bandage-PSA
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Voice Today - Playground-PSA
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Voice Today - Angela K Williams: P.O.P points - Power of Protection
