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Taking aim at child sexual abuse Training program teaches adults how to prevent and respond to the issueRoxanna Thompson Northern News Services Published Thursday, April 12, 2012
According to the Department of Justice, one in three girls and one in six boys in Canada experience an unwanted sexual act before the age of 18. "Simply the numbers are just epidemic in their proportions," said Lacey Untereiner. From Edmonton, Untereiner is the regional program co-ordinator for Little Warriors, a charitable organization with a focus on educating adults to help prevent and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. One of the reasons that child sexual abuse is so pervasive is because people don't know how prevalent it is or how to respond if they think it is taking place, said Untereiner. She believes one of the best ways to decrease instances of sexual abuse in children is to be proactive and raise awareness. On April 3, Untereiner led 30 people in Fort Simpson through the Stewards of Children Program, designed to teach adults to recognize, respond and react to child sexual abuse. Using a video that included interviews with child sexual abuse survivors and a workbook, Untereiner led participants through a number of topics including the prevalence of child sexual abuse, how to create safer environments for children, signs and symptoms of sexual abuse and how to report a disclosure by a child. Based on her experience, Untereiner said approximately 80 per cent of adults don't know the signs and symptoms of child sexual abuse, what to do if they suspect it is taking place and how to report it. One of the biggest misconceptions is stranger danger, she said. Ninety-five per cent of child sex abuse victims actually know and trust their offender. Safer environments Creating safer environments for children has to be a collaborative effort, said Untereiner. "We all have a role to play and that's the only way it's going to change," she said. Untereiner said she was pleased by the variety of response from the village. A number of organizations were represented by participants including Girl Guides of Canada, Dehcho Health and Social Services, the Deh Cho Friendship Centre, the Fort Simpson Recreation Department and local daycares. All members of the Fort Simpson RCMP detachment also took the training, along with Cpl. Wanita Minty from Fort Liard. "That's a big impact in a community this size," said Untereiner. Studies by Little Warriors have shown that for every adult who takes the training, 10 children are affected positively. Const. Jesse Gilbert with the Fort Simpson RCMP detachment organized the training. After a few cases of child sexual abuse took place in the region last fall, Gilbert said he thought it would be good to have the Stewards of Children Program offered in the village. "I think it's a big kudos for the community for making it successful," he said. A number of businesses including Air Tindi, Deh Cho Suites, the Nahanni Inn, Dehcho First Nations, Unity and Enbridge Pipelines (NW) Inc. made donations that allowed the training to take place. Gilbert said he was also impressed by the degree of participation from various agencies. The program shows child sexual abuse is a national problem that is prevalent in the North but the level of participation in the village shows the community is willing to address this problem, he said. Gilbert said he thinks talking about child sexual abuse is less taboo in the North so people are willing to come forward to the RCMP or social services when they think it is occurring. Now that some residents have had the training Gilbert said he hopes that word will spread and that Untereiner can be brought back in the future and that there will be even more community participation. Anyone can benefit from this training, even parents and grandparents, he said.
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