It’s not pleasant to talk about child sexual abuse (CSA) or other adverse childhood experiences (ACEs); it’s not easy to hear, and it’s not easy to process. I know you may not want to hear about this, think about it, or discuss it. I get it. I can tell you that the stories I have heard over the past 25 years have not been pleasant. Some of the experiences working on these issues have not been pleasant. I almost wish that some of what I’ve heard, some of what I know, and some of what I have experienced were not part of my consciousness. But then, I wouldn’t have the understanding about people and the world that I do, and I wouldn’t have been able to do the work I’ve done, which has affected millions of lives.
The reality is that if we don’t all (or at least unless lots of us) “get on the same page,” we’re not going to be able to do what we need to do, nor can we help others learn what they need to.
If not now, then when; if not us, then who?
John Lewis
I want to tell you how you can easily help.
Help starts with education. I’ll start with the uncomfortable subject of child sexual abuse. CSA affects about one in four girls and one in six boys by the time they are 18 years old, in the U.S. alone. Those numbers are pretty much the same across Europe and somewhat more or somewhat less in other parts of the world. This translates to over 55 million adult survivors of CSA in the U.S. This translates to literally billions of people affected across the planet.
This can and often does translate into outcomes that include physical damage (like tearing), major psychological problems (like depression, anxiety, personality disorders, and psychosis), disease (like HIV and other STDs), chronic disease (like high blood pressure and cancer), and early death due to the stress of the trauma and life decisions made as a result (e.g., smoking, alcohol, and drug abuse). This can and often does translate into relationship problems, problems in school, problems holding a job, and financial problems. It affects the functioning of our communities, our societies, and our nations. CSA alone (without counting all the other ACEs) costs the U.S. alone tens of billions of dollars each year in “cleanup” (police, social service workers, doctors, psychologists, lawyers, judges, social costs, etc.).
CSA is most often perpetrated by people close to the child who have access to the child, like family members, teachers, coaches, and community members (you all know the big examples: religious institutions, school staff, coaches). Those who are poor are at even higher risk. It happens behind closed doors. It is cloaked in secrecy, and children are manipulated and threatened to keep quiet—or else! It often manifests on the part of the victim or survivor in anger and shame (which is not the victims’/survivors’ to hold, but it often lands there), so it is very difficult to make inroads on addressing it. Those who could be in a position of protection or assistance often don’t know enough or are protective of circumstances (like their family name). Most survivors do not go on to abuse, but for those who have been abused, the risk of their future perpetration is much greater. And, so, we go round and round, and these conditions are often not dealt with, and victims and survivors often don’t get the help they need.
I can tell you that you do know at least one person who has suffered through CSA. Maybe he or she has not said anything. They may not have shared this with you; most women don’t tell, but those that do say something typically remain silent until well into their 50s.
What needs to happen to change all this? How do we prevent, treat, and mitigate this so we can stop this scourge?
Do you know anyone —maybe it’s you, a friend, a family member, or a colleague —who needs to know more about this to protect and help heal yourself or others? Who needs information so that they can protect children? Is it a parent, or doctor, or social worker, or clinician, or teacher, or lawyer, politician, or judge? Maybe they would thank you. Maybe they feel not well-enough educated to help. Maybe they are feeling incompetent in this area and worried that they are not well serving the people they need to.
We have a solution to enhance knowledge and understanding of child trauma and protection for the purposes of expanding personal comprehension, improving an academic pathway to be more productive, enhancing professional growth by increasing capabilities, competencies, and leadership potential, and/or increasing employability and salary potential.
Please help us spread the word.
The Post-Graduate Certificate toward Master’s Degree (as desired) in Child Protection, conducted through online access with live sessions, is a unique opportunity to get important, fundamental, and comprehensive information at one’s own pace provided by experts in the field of CSA, other ACEs, and trauma, for a fraction of the cost of other programs, and in as little as three months for the certificate and 9-12 additional months for the Master’s. The focus includes prevention, treatment, mitigation, and policy considerations regarding child sexual abuse, physical abuse, psychological abuse, and other ACEs.
Stop the Silence® : A Department of the Institute on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma (IVAT), based in San Diego, CA, in partnership with The University of Applied Research and Development (UARD), which is accredited in the United Kingdom (UK), offers the Post Graduate Certificate in Child Protection as a stand-alone program. Credits can be used toward achieving a Master’s in Child Protection.
We are dedicated to helping achieve people’s and societies’ needs, and the partnership of these organizations is perfect to help do that. IVAT is a 501(c)(3) organization that condemns violence and oppression in all its forms. It stands with all who work for equality and peace. IVAT is the leading international resource and training center, founded in 1984 as FVSAI and headquartered in San Diego, CA, with satellite offices in Hawai’i and Maryland. IVAT is a one-stop shop to address and end violence.
UARD is an accredited university with formal pathways to several regionally accredited USA universities, and additional programs of learning are approved by the USA VA. This program is endorsed by NOCN (National Open College Network) and OTHM. The Mission of UARD is to partner with exceptional people and organizations to ensure everyone, everywhere, at any time, can access and excel in quality education that enables them to pursue their life and career goals. Additional certifications are being sought from various relevant bodies in the U.S.
Courses are taught via seminars, workshops, support sessions, collaborative group work and discussion, tutorials, presentations, interactive practical sessions, and directed private study. The Master’s Level Program in Child Trauma and Protection, Level 7 ,requires a high level of independent work.
Next semester for the Certificate starts on September 6, 2024.
Application deadline is September 2, 2024.
Maybe you want to be a part of this world-changer program, or maybe there are others that you know who should be; please let them know about this course. Share this article with others. Post information about it. Please help.
Thank you for “listening” and for your help.
Dr. Pamela J. Pine, Director, Stop the Silence®: A Department of IVAT
Connect with Dr. Pamela on The Wellness Universe, where you can chat or ask your questions.
To register: Online Child Protection Certificate
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Traveling through a career in international health, I’ve worked for the past 2.5 decades on the prevention, treatment, and mitigation of child sexual abuse and other adverse childhood experiences through advocacy, education, and training, using science and art to educate and open hearts and minds.
