From: Raina Jones and Lisa Teague,
Family Service Inc. of Bartholomew County
Columbus
In 2021, child abuse prevention at Family Service Inc. were privileged to educate 213 adult community members about preventing child sexual abuse using Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children curriculum.
Community members represented a range of businesses and agencies — Cummins, Toyota, BCSC, Columbus Fire Department, Edinburgh Fire Department, Hope Community Center, The Sanctuary Church, LCNFC/Yes Cinema, Bartholomew County Public Library children and teens, Family Service, Su Casa, St Paul Preschool, Turning Point, CAP Prom Committee, CASA, Council for Youth Development, United Way, Healthy Communities, Family School Partners, Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative and individual community members not affiliated with a business or agency. These trainings were made possible by grants from the Heritage Fund Community Foundation and the Conover Foundation. We would like to thank the Heritage Fund Community Foundation, The Conover Foundation and community members who have taken Darkness to Light training.
There is still much work to be done in the prevention of child sexual abuse. Nearly every day in Bartholomew County, children experience child sexual abuse. In 2021, there were 236 reports made in Bartholomew County specific to child sexual abuse. Of those, 39 were substantiated, according to information on the Indiana Department of Child Services website.
We read the newspaper or hear the radio about a child being sexually abused and think, “Wow, someone should do something.” That someone is you. Please contact Family Service Inc. at 812-314-2325 or email [email protected] or [email protected] to find out when the next Darkness to Light training is happening.
