Resources
There are many resources throughout the country to help child abuse victims and advocates.
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Child Welfare Information Gateway promotes the safety, permanency, and well-being of children, youth, and families by connecting child welfare, adoption, and related professionals as well as the public to information, resources, and tools covering topics on child welfare, child abuse and neglect, out-of-home care, adoption, and more. A service of the Children’s Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, we provide access to print and electronic publications, websites, databases, and online learning tools for improving child welfare practice, including resources that can be shared with families.
Darkness to Light
Darkness to Light offers programs to raise awareness of the prevalence and consequences of child sexual abuse by educating adults about the steps they can take to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to the reality of child sexual abuse.
National Child Advocacy Center
The National Children’s Advocacy Center has revolutionized our nation’s response to child sexual abuse since its creation. The work of the NCAC serves as a beacon of hope for more than 250,000 child abuse victims every year. The NCAC is based in Huntsville, Alabama. Each year, thousands of people from the United States and around the world are trained on how to recognize and support endangered children. More than 54,000 child abuse professionals from all 50 states and 20 countries have been trained by the NCAC.
National Children’s Alliance
www.nationalchildrensalliance.org
National Children’s Alliance is a professional membership organization dedicated to helping local communities respond to allegations of child abuse in ways that are effective and efficient – and put the needs of child victims first.
One with Courage
One with Courage is a national initiative centered around the courage it takes to talk about child sexual abuse and the unique role children’s advocacy centers play in providing comprehensive, coordinated and compassionate services to child victims of abuse.
Family Resource Guide
The local Office of Family and Children First created a family resource page that connects residents to services and support throughout the Dayton Region. It may be viewed at Resources | Montgomery County, OH – Official Website (mcohio.org)
Trauma Informational Resources for Guardians
General Trauma Information
- https://www.nctsn.org/
- “The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) was created by Congress in 2000 as part of the Children’s Health Act to raise the standard of care and increase access to services for children and families who experience or witness traumatic events… NCTSN.org is a resource for the public, professionals, and others who care about children and are concerned about child traumatic stress.”
- https://www.childtrauma.org/_files/ugd/aa51c7_237459a7e16b4b7e9d2c4837c908eefe.pdf
- Information for caregivers on how to help children that have been through a traumatic event. Includes information about: how to talk to them about the event, what to expect form children after the event (ie behaviors and so forth), how to help support children after, and ways trauma can show up in infants.
- https://childmind.org/guide/helping-children-cope-after-a-traumatic-event/
- Helping children cope after a traumatic event talks about tips for parents/guardians when working with kids that have been through big things. It talks about different ways to help children at different ages.
- https://childmind.org/guide/multilingual-trauma-resources/
- Multilingual trauma resources. Includes several articles in different languages about talking to kids that have experienced trauma, signs and symptoms, and so forth
- https://familynurture.org/community-resources/talking-child-abused/
- Information on how to talk with children that have been abused.
- https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/early-childhood-trauma/effects
- Information for guardians on early childhood trauma’s impact on children
Sexual Abuse
- https://themamabeareffect.org
- “The Mama Bear Effect empowers adults to protect children from sexual abuse by raising awareness and sharing prevention education.” It also talks about developing body safety skills and talking to kids at various stages about sexual relationships.
- https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/sexual-abuse/effects
- Information for guardians on effects of childhood sexual abuse on children
Sex Trafficking
- https://www.nctsn.org/what-child-trauma/traumatypes/sex-trafficking/about-child-sex-trafficking
- Information for guardians about sex trafficking
- https://www.nctsn.org/what-child-trauma/trauma-types/sex-trafficking/effects
- Information for guardians about the impact on children of sex trafficking.
Physical Abuse
- https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/physical-abuse/effects
- Information for guardians regarding effects of physical abuse on children
Grief
- https://childmind.org/article/helping-children-cope-frightening-news/
- Tips for talking to children about traumatic and grief related things
- https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/traumatic-grief/effects
- Information for guardians on traumatic grief effects
Additional Information
Technology Safety
- https://www.nationalcac.org/internet-safety-tips/
- Internet Safety information that includes brief information with suggestions for helping children be safe online. It also includes website suggestions for children and teens to learn more about internet safety
- https://internetsafety101.org/objects/Parents_Guide_to_Smart_Phone_Security.pdf
- Guardian’s guide to smart phone safety for children
- Online safety violations should always be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s National CyberTipline: 1-800-843-5678 or report.cybertip.org
Sexual Behaviors
- https://www.nationalcac.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/HealthySexualDevelopmentOverview.pdf
- Has information about typical sexual development in children including what is normal behaviors for different age groups and ways to encourage them in these stages
- https://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/resources//sexual_development_and_behavior_in_children.pdf
- More information about typical sexual development in children, ways for parents to talk to kids, book recommendations for guardians to help educate them on talking to children about sex