All donations during The Day of Giving’s 24-hour period will receive a pro-rated portion of the match pool.

Only credit card (MasterCard and Visa) donations received through http://www.westmorelandgives.org/ on October 3, 2013 will be matched.

It is a unique opportunity to make your contributions to The Alle-Kiski Area HOPE Center go even further.

The Volunteer Training will begin Monday March 10^thand runs every Monday and Wednesday evening 6-9pm until Monday April 28^th. Portions of the training pieces are done in-person at the Tarentum Administrative Office and others will be your responsibility to be done on-line as homework.

If you are still interested in attending there are a few things we will need from you:

1. Complete and return the attached Volunteer Application form no later than Friday, February 28, 2014 (email, fax or mail).
2. Commit to attending the training in its entirety as it follows a specific order of learning and each section builds on the next. You will receive a certificate after the completion of the training.
3. You will need to have transportation to travel to/from the Administrative office in Tarentum where the in-person training pieces are held.
4. You will need to have access to a computer, internet and email as portions of the training are required to be done online as homework.
5. You will need to complete and pass Criminal Record and Child Abuse History clearances.
6. After completing the training, you will need to commit to volunteering with the HOPE Center at least one hour a month in some capacity to maintain your volunteer status.

Please feel free to contact Traci Arnold by phone (724.224.1100) or email (tarnold@akhopecenter.org) if you have any other questions. Otherwise, we look forward to hearing from you!

The Twelve Days of HOPE

1^st Day:  She stares into the bathroom mirror for the first time in many years, looking her battered and fearful life directly in the eyes.   Her mind begins to race with questions she didn’t have the courage to ask herself before this moment.  How did it get like this?  Who was I before this relationship?  How much longer can I survive this?  What will happen to me if I leave?  What will happen to me if I stay?  The questions kept coming as the snow outside kept falling.

2^nd Day:   She hardly slept but woke up feeling alert and strangely altered by yesterday’s barrage of introspection.  It was time, she had to leave, and this was a daunting realization.  Estranged from family and friends, she is pregnant, has a 4 year old son, and only $32.00 in her purse.  Where could she go?  Without being able to answer that question, she packed a bag of clothes, gathered some important documents, and walked out into the blistering cold with her son in hand.  She turned her head up towards the sky and spoke aloud, “I can do this.  I am stronger than I think.”   She walks to a neighbor’s house, borrows their phone, and calls a domestic violence hotline.

3^rd Day:  She and her son wake up in a private, fully furnished and beautifully painted bedroom.  She used to think a shelter would look like a cramped gymnasium full of cots and flickering fluorescent lights, but this was clearly not the case.   It was a very home-like atmosphere with private bedrooms and communal living spaces for cooking and lounging.   Inspirational quotes are displayed in every room to help keep residents feeling strong, focused, and worthy of a life without violence.

4^th Day:  She meets with a warm and friendly shelter advocate who sits down with her to assess her immediate and long-term needs like emotional support, employment, permanent housing, and legal advocacy.    At first, she is overwhelmed by the paperwork, the applications, and the prospect of fighting her husband for custody of their son.   She kept thinking, how will I find work if I don’t have much of a work history?  How will I afford childcare?   What if he uses my history of depression against me to gain custody of our son?   She attends a group on self-care that evening and discovers that none of the answers to these questions mean anything if she does not stop to breathe, tackle one issue at a time, and start to care for herself, mind, body, and spirit.

5^th Day:  She makes a new friend who is going through a similar situation.  She wasn’t allowed to have friends before, and so she nearly forgot what it was like to laugh and connect with someone like this.    They start attending groups together.    Multiple groups are held every week on various topics like parenting, nutrition, meditation, healthy relationships, constructive anger, writing cover letters, etc.  She always leaves group feeling more informed and encouraged.

6^th Day:  She wakes up to another slew of questions flooding her mind.  Is it wrong to keep my son away from his father on Christmas?   Should I go back?  How will my son have a good Christmas here in shelter?   Her new friend could see she was upset and comforted her.

7^th Day:   Every day, advocates would ask if she was okay or if she needed anything.  Today she opens up about her angst over spending Christmas in a shelter.   She had no idea that there was a program in which generous members of the community “adopt” a family in shelter, providing gifts and hope for the holiday.  She was so relieved and thankful; her eyes welled up with tears.

8^th Day:   She completes a lot of job and housing applications.  She also begins to think about going to community college.  This makes her feel stronger, more positive about the future.  Advocates are there every step of the way, answering her questions, and helping her navigate the paperwork and resources.   She’s tired of treading water in life; she’s ready to swim now.

9^th Day:  Spending quality time with her son is the focus of her afternoon.  She spent so much time in fear and walking on eggshells with her abuser that she could never relax or be fully present with her son.   Together, they are discovering what being safe feels like.

10^th Day:   While spending more time with her son in the play room, she grows concerned about his behavior and interpersonal skills with other children.    She brings this up with an advocate who helps her find the appropriate programs and resources, learning that some counselors, caseworkers, and service providers from other agencies would be able to meet with her and evaluate her son here at shelter.   She feels like she has a solid support system here.

11^th Day:  Most of the children wake up searching for that crafty little “Elf on the Shelf” again who likes hiding in creative places.  Volunteers arrive in the afternoon for a holiday party, bringing food, crafts, games, and gifts for all residents and their children.   She’s given a little purse filled with scented body lotion and a pretty scarf –and this is a big deal!   You should know, dear reader, that here in shelter, donations aren’t just donations; they’re shooting stars of hope and joy.

12th Day:  The magic of Christmas can be felt like an electrical current, flowing from the squeals and smiles of surprised children opening their gifts.  She sits on the floor by the tree with her boy and thinks, “we’re gonna be okay, we’re gonna be okay.”

~ JMV, Alle-Kiski HOPE Center Advocate ~

Have you ever found yourself in a situation that concerned you?  You wanted to help.  You thought, “I should really do something.”  But, you didn’t.  You are not alone – we’ve all been there.  This is known as “Bystander Effect” – a phenomenon in which the greater the number of people present, the less likely individuals will be to intervene in a situation or assist a person in distress.

Experts on the Bystander Effect cite two major factors that create it – diffusion of responsibility and the “need” to behave in socially acceptable ways.  The first occurs as a result of the fact that the bystanders believe that the responsibility to take action belongs to each member of the group (“Certainly, someone will do something to help”).  Then, the second occurs when no one takes action and the bystanders believe inaction to be the acceptable, expected behavior (“That’s their personal business”).

This fairly recent re-examination of and focus on Bystander Effect provides underpinning for much of the work of HOPE.  Our mission states that HOPE is an organization of social change.  To effect the change that will reduce or eliminate domestic violence, dating violence, intimate partner violence, and stalking – bystanders have to be encouraged to become up-standers who take action.   It does not have to be a grand gesture.  Every gesture makes a difference.  Albert Einstein noted that “The World is a dangerous place.  Not because of the people who are evil; but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.”

In order to effect true and lasting social change, HOPE (and organizations of similar missions) must broaden its historical scope. For 35 years, HOPE maintained steadfast principles that intended to empower victims and hold accountable perpetrators.  However, there is no accountability to victims or victim-serving organizations for power-based violence – until a critical mass of society is willing to engage in and expect new behaviors.  Shifting the paradigm, to the belief that the safety of each individual is a community responsibility requires proactive responses of engaged bystanders.

So, basically, if everyone in your community said domestic violence is not just a family matter; it is not just a neighborhood issue; it is not just a community issue; it is a global issue; and it is just not acceptable, the incidents of power-based violence in your community would begin to decrease.

Different from early prevention education strategies that address audience members as potential perpetrators or potential victims, bystander education programs address audience members as potential bystanders that can intervene to prevent power-based violence; such as domestic violence, sexual assault, bullying, etc. The approach encourages bystanders to speak out against social norms supportive of  violence, and prepare them to provide support to survivors, and suggest that bystanders can help create new community norms for intervention to prevent unwanted behaviors and violence, increase others’ sense of responsibility for intervening and their feelings of competence, and provide role models of helping behaviors. A bystander focus creates less defensiveness responses because people are approached as potential allies rather than as potential victims or potential perpetrators. An emphasis on bystanders as prevention agents also reduces the occurrence of victim-blaming – where the sole responsibility for avoiding victimization is often placed on the potential victims.

You can support HOPE by becoming an active and engaged bystander.  And for HOPE, bystanders come in all shapes and sizes and can help us change our world in many ways.  To find out more information or support HOPE’s efforts, contact us through the website or call 724-224-1100.

Great Resources:

http://www.nsvrc.org/sites/default/files/Publications_NSVRC_Booklets_Engaging-Bystanders-in-Sexual-Violence-Prevention.pdf

http://www.stepupstopviolence.org/learn/bystander-intervention/

http://www.marquette.edu/sexual-misconduct/bystander-intervention.shtml

http://www.livethegreendot.com/gd_strategy.html

I know you are as committed to ending domestic and sexual violence we are here at HOPE.  That is why we are joining national efforts to associate Father’s Day with opportunities for men to be active in working to prevent these crimes.  This year, we have made a small start in that work in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Did you see Sunday’s Post-Gazette?

http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2014/06/15/Step-up-fathers-All-men-must-help-stop-violence-against-women/stories/201406150076

Grant Oliphant, President of The Heinz Endowments, authored, “Step-up, Fathers: All men must help stop violence against women.”   He makes the case for why it is critical for men, particularly fathers, to be active in working to prevent domestic and sexual violence.  And he urges readers to sign the Fathers Day Pledge to End Gender Violence.

On Page A9, you’ll find more information about the Pledge; including a list of some of the prominent local leaders who have already signed on.

If you take a few moments to read these items, I believe you’ll be stirred to action. Please take two minutes to sign the Pledge, in honor of Father’s  Day and on behalf of your children:   www.PaSaysNoMore.com. (Scroll down slightly, directly under the photo.)

HOPE appreciates the efforts of Fisa Foundation and the PCADV in scaffolding these very important beginnings in Pennsylvania.  Together, I know that we can achieve great things.

So, what can you do to help us get this movement growing?  

• If you use Facebook and Twitter, please share the link and image.
• Start a “Change your profile picture” campaign on Facebook.  Attached is a graphic you can use with the call to action: Sign the Father’s Day Pledge to End Gender Violence TODAY at  www.PaSaysNoMore.com, then Change your Profile Picture to indicate that you did!
• On Twitter, use the hashtag #ACallToDads.  You can post (and encourage others to post) photos and videos of how you say No More to domestic and sexual violence.

http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2014/06/15/Step-up-fathers-All-men-must-help-stop-violence-against-women/stories/201406150076

• Approximately 85% of victims who entered emergency shelters reported that their abusive partner had threatened, injured or killed the family pet.
• Up to 48% of domestic violence victims delay leaving or return to an abusive partner out of fear for their pets’ safety.

SAF-T was created by Allie Phillips, a Michigan and Maryland licensed attorney, to help eliminate the barrier of domestic violence victims having to make the tough decision to leave the family pet behind.  Her combined experience as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, animal shelter volunteer and Senior Attorney with the National District Attorney’s Association training on child abuse issues; assisted her linking violence to people and animals and how to house families with pets after violence.  Allie developed and implemented trainings to prosecutors and criminal justice professionals.  She later joined the American Humane Association, where she launched the SAF-T Program.  Allie is presently the Director of the National Center for Prosecution of Animal Abuse and also the Deputy Director for the National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse.

The HOPE Center’s SAF-T Kennel Program opened in November 2012 and assists the cats and dogs of our domestic violence shelter guests.  We are proudly one of three shelters in the state of Pennsylvania to offer this unique service.  A domestic violence survivor staying in our shelter can access the SAF-T Kennel as the goal is to keep the “family” unit together and safe.  The owner provides for the pet(s) at an on-site kennel during the course of their shelter stay by continuing to care for their pet as they did prior to coming to the HOPE Center.  The HOPE Center and the SAF-T Kennel Program rely on the generous support received from the community.  Items such as dog and cat food, food dishes, leashes, collars, pet beds, pet shampoo, toys and other supplies a pet may need to help “start over” when coming to a new place.  Shelter guests often come in with just the clothes on their backs because of having to leave in a hurry, so are in need of many daily items we take for granted.

Please help support HOPE’s SAF-T Kennel Program.  We are always in need of the pet supplies listed above to help the families start over.

Another way you can support the cause is to attend our –

3^rd Annual Howl-O-Ween Dog Walk & Costume Parade –

The Dog Walk is being held Saturday, October 4^th at 130 Townsend Park Ct., Murrysville, PA 15668

The fun will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will be held rain or shine.  You can pre-register for a discount and goodies at www.www.akhopecenter.org by September 20th.  You will still be able to register the day of the event.

There will be raffle tickets and refreshments available for purchase and the opportunity to win raffle prizes and get people and doggie massages!  Bring your dog dressed in its finest Halloween costume for a chance to win one of the best costume prizes after the parade.

Please pass the word to your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, church groups, community groups, sport teams and help support this great cause.  It’s a wonderful way to spend part of a day with people and animals you care about!

Get talking…blog about how much your pet means to you?

RESOURCES:

www.alliephillips.com

It is important to remember that our gratitude does not have to focus on a big thing.  Not all of us have that Norman Rockwell, Freedom from Want, moment each Thanksgiving.

• For 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men, it is just another day to live in fear and hope for peace and safety.  They will be thankful if the violence doesn’t occur that day.
• On Thanksgiving Day in Pennsylvania, nearly 1,200 women and children will spend their holiday in a domestic violence shelter. They will be thankful that there are domestic violence shelters and that one had room for them.
• More than 750 people in crisis will call a domestic violence hotline in Pennsylvania.  They will be thankful that an advocate answered their call.
• This Thanksgiving, approximately 7 million children will be living in a home were serious domestic violence occurs throughout the year. They are thankful when it stops – if only for a moment.
• For three women in the US, Thanksgiving will be that last day of their lives. – They will not be thankful.The work of HOPE has taught us to appreciate every day and to be grateful for every effort. We are reminded of this when we witness gratitude for the most basic of things – food, clothing, shelter, and safety.  At  HOPE, we experience the bittersweet effects of families thankful for simple things that many of us take for granted.At HOPE, we are grateful every day to be engaged in social change.  We are thankful that we have a shelter to offer safety and respite for women and children who have been victimized.  We are dedicated to our crisis hotline and are grateful that we are ready to answer when someone calls.  HOPE advocates are grateful for community partnerships and collaborations that allow us to reach-out to survivors in the court systems of Allegheny and Westmoreland counties.

  Make everyday a day to be thankful.  Commit to taking a moment each day and remembering all of big and small reasons to be thankful.

  This Thanksgiving – and every day – HOPE is thankful for all the support throughout the community that helps our programs thrive!

   

  National Network to End Domestic Violence – 2013 Census Reports http://nnedv.org/projects/census/4225-domestic-violence-counts-census-2013-report.html

  Futures Without Violence – Fact Sheets

  http://www.futureswithoutviolence.org/the-facts-on-childrens-exposure-to-intimate-partner-violence/

The Twelve Days of HOPE

1^st Day:  She stares into the bathroom mirror for the first time in many years, looking her battered and fearful life directly in the eyes.   Her mind begins to race with questions she didn’t have the courage to ask herself before this moment.  How did it get like this?  Who was I before this relationship?  How much longer can I survive this?  What will happen to me if I leave?  What will happen to me if I stay?  The questions kept coming as the snow outside kept falling.

2^nd Day:   She hardly slept but woke up feeling alert and strangely altered by yesterday’s barrage of introspection.  It was time, she had to leave, and this was a daunting realization.  Estranged from family and friends, she is pregnant, has a 4 year old son, and only $32.00 in her purse.  Where could she go?  Without being able to answer that question, she packed a bag of clothes, gathered some important documents, and walked out into the blistering cold with her son in hand.  She turned her head up towards the sky and spoke aloud, “I can do this.  I am stronger than I think.”   She walks to a neighbor’s house, borrows their phone, and calls a domestic violence hotline.

3^rd Day:  She and her son wake up in a private, fully furnished and beautifully painted bedroom.  She used to think a shelter would look like a cramped gymnasium full of cots and flickering fluorescent lights, but this was clearly not the case.   It was a very home-like atmosphere with private bedrooms and communal living spaces for cooking and lounging.   Inspirational quotes are displayed in every room to help keep residents feeling strong, focused, and worthy of a life without violence.

4^th Day:  She meets with a warm and friendly shelter advocate who sits down with her to assess her immediate and long-term needs like emotional support, employment, permanent housing, and legal advocacy.    At first, she is overwhelmed by the paperwork, the applications, and the prospect of fighting her husband for custody of their son.   She kept thinking, how will I find work if I don’t have much of a work history?  How will I afford childcare?   What if he uses my history of depression against me to gain custody of our son?   She attends a group on self-care that evening and discovers that none of the answers to these questions mean anything if she does not stop to breathe, tackle one issue at a time, and start to care for herself, mind, body, and spirit.

5^th Day:  She makes a new friend who is going through a similar situation.  She wasn’t allowed to have friends before, and so she nearly forgot what it was like to laugh and connect with someone like this.    They start attending groups together.    Multiple groups are held every week on various topics like parenting, nutrition, meditation, healthy relationships, constructive anger, writing cover letters, etc.  She always leaves group feeling more informed and encouraged.

6^th Day:  She wakes up to another slew of questions flooding her mind.  Is it wrong to keep my son away from his father on Christmas?   Should I go back?  How will my son have a good Christmas here in shelter?   Her new friend could see she was upset and comforted her.

7^th Day:   Every day, advocates would ask if she was okay or if she needed anything.  Today she opens up about her angst over spending Christmas in a shelter.   She had no idea that there was a program in which generous members of the community “adopt” a family in shelter, providing gifts and hope for the holiday.  She was so relieved and thankful; her eyes welled up with tears.

8^th Day:   She completes a lot of job and housing applications.  She also begins to think about going to community college.  This makes her feel stronger, more positive about the future.  Advocates are there every step of the way, answering her questions, and helping her navigate the paperwork and resources.   She’s tired of treading water in life; she’s ready to swim now.

9^th Day:  Spending quality time with her son is the focus of her afternoon.  She spent so much time in fear and walking on eggshells with her abuser that she could never relax or be fully present with her son.   Together, they are discovering what being safe feels like.

10^th Day:   While spending more time with her son in the play room, she grows concerned about his behavior and interpersonal skills with other children.    She brings this up with an advocate who helps her find the appropriate programs and resources, learning that some counselors, caseworkers, and service providers from other agencies would be able to meet with her and evaluate her son here at shelter.   She feels like she has a solid support system here.

11^th Day:  Most of the children wake up searching for that crafty little “Elf on the Shelf” again who likes hiding in creative places.  Volunteers arrive in the afternoon for a holiday party, bringing food, crafts, games, and gifts for all residents and their children.   She’s given a little purse filled with scented body lotion and a pretty scarf –and this is a big deal!   You should know, dear reader, that here in shelter, donations aren’t just donations; they’re shooting stars of hope and joy.

12th Day:  The magic of Christmas can be felt like an electrical current, flowing from the squeals and smiles of surprised children opening their gifts.  She sits on the floor by the tree with her boy and thinks, “we’re gonna be okay, we’re gonna be okay.”

~ JMV, Alle-Kiski HOPE Center Advocate ~

As parents, we feel a normal, natural urge to protect or shield our children from knowing that bad people exist or that this world isn’t always a safe or friendly place.   Sometimes, we have to remind ourselves that talking to our children about predators and developing a safety plan is not paranoia, it is prevention through preparedness.

Before we can talk about protecting our children, we must be clear on the facts of sexual assault.

Overview:

1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually assaulted by the time they are 16 years old.
Nearly 1 in 4 women have experienced at least one physical assault by a partner during adulthood.
1 in 6 women have experienced an attempted or completed rape at some point as an adult.
Less than 10 % of child sexual abuse is perpetrated by strangers.
Between 30 to 40 percent of child sexual abuse is perpetrated by family members.
60% of child victims are abused by people the family knows and trusts.
1 in 5 children are solicited for sex on the internet.
The Centers for Disease Control has found a correlation between bullying and perpetration of sexual violence.
Sexual assault is the most underreported crime.  An estimated 68% of rapes go unreported.
Only 2 out of every 100 perpetrators who are reported will serve time in jail.
These statistics might seem grim but they would be much worse without VAWA and various Anti-violence programs and organizations throughout Pennsylvania, like Alle-Kiski HOPE Center.  Despite all of the legal progress we’ve made, the burden of responsibility remains with us as parents, neighbors, and individual members of the community.   There is no such thing as “too much” with regard to education, prevention, and proactivity.   Likewise, there can never be “too many” tips and strategies for mindful, vigilant parenting.

Tips and Strategies for Mindful, Vigilant Parenting

Teach your children the difference between a secret and a surprise.  Surprises are good; they are a fun and healthy part of life.  But it is NEVER okay to ask a child to keep a secret.  Secrets are used by predators to keep children silent.
Teach all children (of all ages) the correct terms for their body parts and genitalia.  This will disarm and unnerve predators who like to use cutesy pet names for “private parts.”   If a child says, “that’s my penis or that’s my vagina, you’re not supposed to touch me there,” predators will know that this child has been educated by vigilant parents.  Children who are kept naïve about their bodies make easier targets.
Teach your children the difference between “good touch” and “bad touch.”  Think about what a bathing suit covers.  Tell your children that nobody is to touch them on the parts of their body covered by a bathing suit except when being bathed, dressed, or examined by a doctor.
Let them know that good touch (like tickling, being bathed or dressed) can turn into bad touch.
Do not give family members or people you know a pass or waiver.  Let your children know to reach out and tell you even when the person “bad-touching” their body is known or loved.
Use safety as a context for starting a discussion.  Ease into it from a fire safety plan or from learning how to dial 911.  Tell your children that like stealing or breaking into someone’s home, there are bad people who try to do bad touching. Do not talk about molestation or sexual assault as a disease or sickness.  This might lead children to feel sorry for the predator or think it’s no big deal like having a cold.
Do not force your children to hug or kiss relatives or friends when they don’t want to.  Doing so will teach them that they have no choice and no control over their bodies.
Get into the habit of having your children share their day with you.  Ask questions.
Role-play with your children.  Have them practice saying “NO” loud and with authority. Act out different scenarios with different categories of people as the predator like the neighbor, school janitor or crossing guard.   Ask your child, “what do you say when the neighbor touches you in a bad way?  Who should you tell?”  After a few of these scenarios, you might want to say something like, “this time I’ll be the predator.”  You will likely see your child pause and think.  Let them know that doctors, coaches, priests, police officers and older siblings can engage in bad touching as well.
Let your neighbors, teachers, caregivers, daycare workers, and boyfriends know who they are.  Know the parents of your children’s friends.  If your child is spending the night at a friend’s house, ask to visit the home in which your child might be staying.  Find a daycare that will allow you to pop in and observe your child’s interactions.  There are many websites and even phone apps where it is free to check sex offender registries.  There are also some low cost options for checking criminal backgrounds.
Pay close attention to adults favoring your child or asking to spend a lot of time with your child. Again, this is not paranoia, this is caution and mindfulness.  Keep your eyes open and trust your gut instincts.
If you suspect a child is being sexually abused, report it.  If it’s your own child, talk with them before reporting it, let them know how brave they are and that you’re very happy they came to you.  Children who disclose sexual abuse need to be believed and supported.  Call a child abuse hotline and/or report the disclosure to your local police.  Children who get support and therapy heal better and faster than children who did not.

“The fact is, rape is utterly commonplace in all our cultures. It is part of the fabric of everyday life, yet we all act as if it’s something shocking and extraordinary whenever it hits the headlines. We remain silent, and so we condone it…Until rape, and the structures – sexism, inequality, tradition – that make it possible, are part of our dinner-table conversation with the next generation, it will continue. Is it polite and comfortable to talk about it? No. Must we anyway? Yes.”

‘To protect our children, we must talk to them about rape”
~Desmond Tutu

~by JMV, Residential Advocate, Alle-Kiski Area HOPE Center

Resources and Information

www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/sexualviolence/resources.html

www.familywatchdog.us  Family Watchdog is a free service to help locate registered sex offenders in any given area where you happen to live or visit.  Free notifications will keep you updated as to which offenders move in or out of your area.

FBI National Sex Offender Database, free and searchable, coordinated by the Department of Justice.  http://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/registry/registry

National Child Abuse Hotline, 24/7:  1-800-422-4453

www.paar.net  The Pittsburgh Action Against Rape center offers a crisis hotline, medical advocacy, legal advocacy, and counseling/therapy for children and adult survivors of sexual abuse or sexual assault.  They have a 24/7 hotline:  1-866-END-RAPE (1-866-363-7273)

www.pcar.org   The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape is a great source of information and referrals.  They have a toll free hotline, 24/7:  1-888-772-7227

www.psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2012/01/04/protecting-your-children-from-sexual-predators/

www.rainn.org  The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network is also a great source of information and referrals.  They have a National Sexual Assault Hotline, 24/7:  1-800-656-4673

US Department of Justice, National Sex Offender Database, free and searchable.  http://www.nsopw.gov/

Books and Teaching Materials

Britain, Lory.  It’s MY Body:  A Book to Teach Young Children How to Resist Uncomfortable Touch.  1982.

King, Kimberly.  I Said No!  A Kid-to-kid Guide to Keeping Private Parts Private.  2008.

Free coloring books about the body (good touch v. bad touch) that you can download and print out for your children.  http://dev.paar.net/prevention/resources/coloring-books/