On Monday, April 22nd , the Texarkana Children’s Advocacy Center (TCAC) will host a free Stewards of Children training at the Texarkana Texas Convention Center. Lunch will be provided. This evidence-informed, award-winning training teaches adults practical actions they can take to reduce instances of child sexual abuse in their organizations, families, and communities.

“Child sexual abuse is preventable, and education is key.” says Breanne Bradshaw, TCAC’s Director of Education and Outreach. “Most parents believe their child would tell them right away if someone were abusing them, but we know this isn’t usually the case. Parents need to understand the risks, know the signs to look for, and have the language and tools to educate their children to protect them from potential harm. And it’s not just parents and child-serving professionals who need this training – we all have a role to play in protecting children from this heinous crime.”

Child sexual abuse knows no bounds – it happens in every religion, race, and socioeconomic background. 1 in 10 children will be sexually abused by their 18th birthday, and most children will never tell anyone the abuse occurred. Unfortunately, the threat usually doesn’t come from strangers, but from people we know and trust. In fact, 93% of children know their abuser. This type of abuse can have life-long effects on a child, including health problems, post-traumatic stress, suicidal ideation, and substance abuse.

The Texarkana Children’s Advocacy Center is a local nonprofit dedicated to empowering the community of Greater Texarkana to protect children from abuse by providing expert trainings to school districts, faith communities, and other community groups.

To learn more about this organization, visit their website.