Healthy Holiday Snacks!

It takes great will power to stay away from treats this time of year. Office parties, celebrations with friends, and family get-togethers all pose a threat to one’s diet. While adults can entertain their palette with a selection of healthier choices, children may easily be distracted from a balanced meal by treats and sweets. In order to ensure your whole family has access to nutrition, here are some fun, healthy, holiday-oriented snacks you can provide!

Pita Tree Appetizers "Cut each pita fold into 8 wedges. Insert pretzel stick half into center of bottom of each wedge to form "tree trunk." In small bowl, mix sour cream, guacamole, parsley and garlic-pepper blend. Spread about 1 teaspoon sour cream mixture on each pita wedge. Blot bell pepper with paper towel to remove excess moisture. Sprinkle about 1/4 teaspoon bell pepper on each wedge or arrange to form a garland. If desired, cover and refrigerate up to 8 hours before serving." From Live Better America!

Snowman on a Stick "For each snowman, you will need three thick slices of banana, a grape, a sliver of carrot, and a triangular piece of apple. (Tip: Poke a hole in the apple piece with a bamboo skewer first to make assembly easier.) Have your kids slide the fruit onto the skewer, then use the carrot slivers for noses, mini chocolate chips for eyes and buttons, and pretzel sticks for arms." From Spoonful!

 Frosty Sandwich “To make Frosty all you really need is a circle cookie cutter. This Frosty is a ham and cheese sandwich, but feel free to choose your preferred fillings :) I cut the bread, cheese and ham with the cookie cutter. I placed the cheese on top. For the face Frosty has a carrot nose that I cut with a knife and mini chocolate chips for his eyes and mouth. The hat is cucumber and the scarf is red bell pepper slices.” From Creative Food!

Edible Fruit Tree "Using the cookie cutters create various shapes out of the melon slices. Attach toothpicks to a Styrofoam cone. Attach one piece each of a fruit to a toothpick. (Think free-form; as the tree starts building you will know more about which fruit combinations are looking better and how densely packed you want your tree to be). Continue building the tree as dense as you want! Use cilantro leaves as grass garnish." From Ginger and Garlic!

'Tis the season!

During the holiday season, just like in America, many other countries have unique traditions. Children tend to think that everywhere celebrates the same, so for parents, this time of year is perfect to teach your children about other cultures!

Here are some fun facts about other countries and cultures that you can share with your children!

• In Sweden, Norway and some areas of Finland, one of the biggest days on celebration in December is St. Lucia’s Day. This day marks the start of the holiday season and is mean to bring light and hope during the darkest time of year! 
• In Australia, the holidays fall around the middle of the summer! Children believe that when Santa comes to Australia, he gives the reindeer a rest and uses kangaroos!
• In Holland, the most important day for children is December 5th, or the eve of St. Nicholas’ Day! This holiday, Sinterklaas, or Santa Claus, comes to town to deliver presents to children.
• For Chinese families, the most popular time to celebrate is during the Chinese New Year! This is a time to honor ancestors and deities and gives families the opportunity to get together.
• Eid Al Adha, the Festival of the Sacrifice, is celebrated by Muslims on the 10th day of the month of the lunar calendar to commemorate the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son for God. Today an animal is sacrificed and the meat is shared with family, friends Muslims or non-Muslims, as well as the poor members of the community.
• Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah, a holiday honoring the Maccabees victory over King Antiochus, who forbid Jews to practice their religion. For eight nights, Hanukkah is celebrated with prayer, the lighting of the menorah, and food. A menorah has nine candles, a candle for every night, plus a helper candle. 
• On December 26, Kwanzaa is celebrated. It is a holiday to commemorate African heritage. Kwanzaa lasts a week during which participants gather with family and friends to exchange gifts and to light a series of black, red, and green candles, which symbolize the seven basic values of African American family life that are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

Every country has their own traditions surrounding the winter (or summer if you’re south of the equator) holidays!

Sources:
Here!
Here!
Here!

Safe Travel Tips for Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is the most heavily traveled time of the year. Because so many of us will be driving, flying, and using other modes of transportation, it is important to remember a set of tips for safe and efficient travel!

• During your trip, a good way to avoid the "are we there yet" question is to give your children a map so they can see where you are and how far you have until you reach your destination. 
• Children can be a distraction in the car. Let other adults accompanying you settle distracting situations so you can keep your eyes on the road!
• Use good judgment when deciding what toys to bring in the car. In the event of a car accident, items can go flying everywhere. Bring small toys and leave everything else in the trunk!
• Driving without proper rest is very dangerous, so get proper rest. Set aside time to pack your clothes, load your vehicle and get a full night’s sleep for you and your family so you can hit the road rested!
• Simple safety first! Buckle up, and make sure all passengers are secured properly with safety belts and age-appropriate child safety seats before you head out on your trip. 
• Try to do most of your traveling during daylight hours, when visibility is best. If you find yourself driving into the glare of a rising or setting sun, consider taking a break until lighting conditions improve.
• When traveling by RV, make sure passengers buckle up in approved seating locations.
• If flying, bring your car seats with you. If it is approved for use on an aircraft, you can secure your child and help protect them from unexpected turbulence.
• Booster seats may not be used on an airplane because they require a lap/shoulder belt, so it is a good idea to check it when traveling.
• If traveling internationally with your children, be sure to bring all birth certificates, passports and documentation with you. Single parents traveling with children should bring a letter signed by the other parent giving permission for travel listing dates, location and names of those in the travel party.

For more tips on safe travel, click here.

NCA Launches PSA

This week, the National Children’s Alliance launched a campaign about the courage it takes for kids to disclose abuse and the courage it takes for adults to report it. The “Help Victims Become Survivors” campaign began with a public service announcement called “Stand Up Step Forward.” On Tuesday, with the help of Peter Connors of NCA and other PR experts, the PSA aired nationally and played during the Colbert Report on Comedy Central. There's no dialogue in the spot, but a message comes on the screen that reads, "She found the courage to report her abuse," and then the words, "So can you."This is encouraging all survivors and people who know about abuse to come forward. 

Child abuse is under reported and has huge impacts on victims, families, and communities. One of the most important things we as community members can do to help end child abuse is to say something if you suspect something.

To watch the PSA, click here.

To find out where your closest CAC is, click here.

If you do suspect a child is being harmed, reporting your suspicions may protect the child and get help for the family. Call the DCFS Child Protection hotline at 1-855-4LA-KIDS (1-855-452-5437) toll free 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Eating Healthy Over the Holidays

With Halloween treats running out just in time for pantry shelves to be packed with Thanksgiving food, we would like to provide some helpful tips on how to keep a balanced diet for you and your family during the holidays!

•  Use healthy substitutes! Cooking with lemon juice, olive oil, and other natural products when cooking. Instead of loading up on soda at the family get-together, why not bring natural juice? As for sweets- try using whole grain flour and unrefined sugar!

•  Be mindful of portions! For parents, it is important to make sure your children are getting proper portions. Since children need fewer calories than adults, it can be easy for them to over indulge- especially with sweets! Try using smaller plates for children and monitor their portion sizes.

•  Engage your children! While preparing a holiday feast, ask for your child’s input on the menu. This will help make them feel like an important part of the celebration. This is also a perfect opportunity for parents to educate their children on what a balanced meal should consist of, even during the holidays! 

•  Don’t skip meals! Help set a healthy example for your children by eating breakfast and lunch, even if there is a big holiday dinner planned! Skipping meals can be harmful to an individual’s metabolism, and can lead to overeating during the holiday feast. Keep in mind, snacking could help keep off hunger pains!

• Put extra thought into “extras!” Since children already require less calories than adults, adding that whipped cream or extra helping of gravy to an already excessive meal can really do some damage! Be sure to monitor your child’s consumption!

For more information on how to eat over the holidays, click here & here.

Did you know that November is Child Safety and Protection month?

Although child safety campaigns for this month are generally geared toward household safety and injury prevention, we can pause to review important tips regarding sexual safety and education.

The Good Men Project recently featured an article describing age-appropriate discussions and behaviors for parents to demonstrate with their children. “The Healthy Sex Talk: Teaching Kids Consent, Ages 1-21,” was created with the hope that “parents and educators find this list of action items and teaching tools helpful, and that together we can help create a generation of children who have less rape and sexual assault in their lives.”

The authors of this article believe that education can start as early as one year old. The guidelines are separated into three age groups- very young children, older children and teens/young adults. Here are some of the guidelines listed in the article:

For ages 1-5: 

•  Teach children to ask permission before touching or embracing a playmate. Use language such as, “Sarah, let’s ask Joe if he would like to hug bye-bye.” If Joe says “no” to this request, cheerfully tell your child, “That’s okay, Sarah! Let’s wave bye-bye to Joe and blow him a kiss."

For ages 5-12:

• Teaching kids that the way their bodies are changing is great, but can sometimes be confusing. The way you talk about these changes—whether it’s loose teeth or pimples and pubic hair—will show your willingness to talk about other sensitive subjects.

For Teens and Young Adults:

• Education about “good touch/bad touch” remains crucial, particularly in middle school. This is an age where various “touch games” emerge: butt-slapping, boys hitting one another in the genitals and pinching each other’s nipples to cause pain. When kids talk about these games, a trend emerges where boys explain that they think the girls like it, but the girls explain that they do not.  We must get kids talking about the ways in which these games impact other people. They will try to write it off, but it’s important to encourage them to talk it through, and ask them how they would feel if someone hit them in that way, or did something that made them feel uncomfortable or violated.

For the full article with all of the guidelines, click here.

Halloween Safety Tips!

Festive costumes, a surplus of candy at the grocery store, and Hocus Pocus reruns have all come together to signal that special time of year again- Halloween. While Halloween is one of the most exciting nights during the year for children, it also has the reputation of being one of the most worrisome nights for caregivers. Here are some tips to help you and your family maximize on safe fun this Halloween!

• Tell your kids not to enter any home unless you are with them
• Supply your children with glow sticks, flashlights or brightly colored costumes so that they are visible when it gets dark outside
• Make sure that your child knows your cell phone number and home number, as well as address
• If they cannot memorize it, allow them take a cell phone trick or treating with them in case you get separated
• If wearing a mask or hat is part of their costume, make sure that they have proper visibility out of their head wear and can see all around them
• Make sure that your trick or treat route is on brightly lit streets and in a well-know area, while avoiding unlit porches and alleys
• Teach your children to dial 9-1-1 in case there is an emergency or they get separated
• Finally, teach children to yell "NO" if they are asked to go anywhere with strangers

You can compare the tips listed in this blog to here, here and here! Have a safe and happy Halloween!

What is a MDT?

Children’s Advocacy Centers were created with the purpose to better serve children who are victims of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and/or witness to violent crime. In order to respond to child abuse in communities, CACs use a multi-disciplinary team, "MDT," approach. This inter-agency approach includes law enforcement, social services, medical, prosecutors, victim advocacy and mental health professionals. The MDT approach ensures the most effective coordinated response possible.

The Multi-Disciplinary Approach improves communication among agencies, makes pertinent information available for all involved professionals, and prevents duplication of services.

Prior to the Children’s Advocacy Center model, children would often be treated as adults and were expected to disclose what happened to dozens of professionals. Because forensic interviews are conducted at CACs, the number of people with whom a child discloses to is significantly reduced, which helps prevent revictimization.

According to the National Children’s Alliance, “Children’s advocacy centers are modeled on the simple but powerful concept of coordination between community agencies and professionals involved in the intervention system. Today, there are more than 750 children’s advocacy centers nationwide, and more on the way. Children's advocacy centers emphasize the coordination of investigation and intervention services by bringing together professionals and agencies as a multidisciplinary team to create a child-focused approach to child abuse cases.”

What is the National Children's Alliance?

As of 2012, the number of children served by Children’s Advocacy Centers across the country increased by 175 percent since 2000. Started by former Congressman Robert E. "Bud" Cramer in 1985 in Huntsville, Alabama as an effort to create a better system to help abused children, CACs are now located throughout the world.
The National Children’s Alliance, which is the “national leader on training, technical assistance, research, support and education for children’s advocacy centers,” was created in 1998, a decade after the National Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers was instituted. NCA works with 775 Children’s Advocacy Centers and 47 State Chapters to minimize trauma for abused children, break the cycle of abuse and hold offenders accountable by offering services in several areas. Through accreditation, community awareness, training, funding and membership, NCA helps state chapters, local CACs and communities stand up for children.
Because the NCA exists, Children’s Advocacy Centers and State Chapters are able to provide the highest quality care and services, increase public understanding about child abuse and more effectively respond to the unique needs of commercially sexually exploited children.
In 2012, the NCA effectively administered $12,539,628 in federal grants to State Chapters and local Children’s Advocacy Centers, which improved services to child victims. The NCA also increased service coverage of CACs to more than 128 counties so that more children and communities could receive the help they needed!

For more information on the National Children's Alliance, click here and here.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed. It evolved from the first Day of Unity in 1981 with the intent to connect advocates for survivors of domestic violence across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. During the month of October, advocates working to end domestic violence campaign for awareness and education. Children are also affected by domestic violence and it is important to understand how:

"Children witnessing domestic violence and living in an environment where violence occurs may experience some of the same trauma as abused children. Not all children are affected by domestic violence in the same way. Children may become fearful, inhibited, aggressive, antisocial, withdrawn, anxious, depressed, angry, confused; suffer from disturbed sleep, problems with eating, difficulties at school and challenges in making friends. Children often feel caught in the middle between their parents and find it difficult to talk to either of them. Adolescents may act out or exhibit risk-taking behaviors such as drug and alcohol use, running away, sexual promiscuity and criminal behavior. Young men may try to protect their mothers, or they may become abusive to their mothers themselves. Children may injured if they try to intervene in the violence in their homes."

There are several events happening in the area where you can show your support to end domestic violence!

New Orleans Family Justice Center- "Unmasking Domestic Violence Soiree" Oct. 20th

Loyola, Tulane, Dillard and Xavier Universities Take Back The Night! Oct. 23rd

Greater New Orleans Corvette Club: 22st Annual All Corvette Car Show on Oct. 19th, Proceeds From The Show Benefit The Metropolitan Center For Women & Children

Survivor Biographies

Last week we provided a list of books recommended for victims of child sexual abuse. This week, we are featuring some books written by child sexual abuse survivors who share their stories through biographies.

It is important to keep in mind that books should be used with therapy and not in place of counseling services. Remember to read each book before sharing with children!

"The emotions are strong throughout this well-written book and lead the reader into a world few travel and survive."- Susan Murphy Milano, violence expert and author, Time's Up: A Guide on How to Leave and Survive Abuse and Stalking Relationships









"Told in a voice that combines childlike wonder with grown-up wisdom…Fragoso manages to tell a disturbing story beautifully, leading readers into the secret world she inhabited for decades and even inspiring a modicum of sympathy for the man who manipulated and abused her."- Lisa Bonos The Washington Post

"A meticulously reported account of one girl's journey through a violent and unpredictable childhood. Holloway's strong voice and remarkable sense of humor, in spite of the horror in her past, make this an unforgettable read."- Hope Edelman, New York Times bestselling author of Motherless Daughters

"To escape the horror of violent abuse, the two-year-old child 'went to sleep' and created the inner world of 'the Troops,' the 92 voices that shielded her from pain, but that she didn't know existed until adulthood. this is a journey through the fragmented world of the multiple personality—told by the Troop."- Amazon.com.

"With great courage and startling compassion, Silverman tells [her] story. . . . Harrowing in its depiction of savage violation and profoundly moving in its portrait of a child's fear, confusion, and desperate search for a safe place."- Kirkus Reviews

 "Stolen Innocence is written with conviction and clarity. [Erin Merryn] doesn't hold back, and I respect her honesty and openness...By the end of the book, I thought I was reading passages from a much older adult than a high school senior. Erin has grown into a strong, wise, intelligent, perceptive, spiritual, caring adult."- Susan Reedquist, The Children's Advocacy Center

"This book is a study in courage, honesty, and the pursuit of truth, even at the risk of alienating the ones you love. Erin's story will stay with you long after you have finished it."- Lee Woodruff, Author of Perfectly Imperfect and In an Instant

Reading Resources

After a child discloses sexual abuse, caregivers may have many questions about what happens next. Here is a list of books that can be helpful to a family where a child is a victim of sexual abuse. It is important to keep in mind that books should be used with therapy and not in place of counseling services. Remember to read each book before sharing it with children!

For Children

My Body Is Private by Linda Walvoord Girard

Telling Isn't Tattling by Kathryn M. Hammerseng

Your Body Belongs to You by Cornelia Spelman

Those Are My Private Parts by Diane Hansen (for young children)

Tears of Joy by Barbara Behm (ages 4 and up)

For Teenagers

It Happened To Me: A Teen's Guide to Overcoming Sexual Abuse (workbook) by William Lee Carter

We Are Not Alone: A Teenage Boy's Personal Account of Child Sexual Abuse from Disclosure Through Prosecution & Treatment by Jade C. Angelica

We Are Not Alone: A Teenage Girl's Personal Account of Child Sexual Abuse from Disclosure Through Prosecution & Treatment by Jade C. Angelica

Invisible Girls: The Truth About Sexual Abuse by Dr. Patti Feuersteisen

For Parents/Caregivers

Children Changed by Trauma: A Healing Guide by Debra Alexander

When Your Child Has Been Molested: A Parent's Guide to Healing & Recovery by Kathryn Brohl

Healing the Harm Done: A Parent's Guide to Helping Your Child Overcome the Effects of Sexual Abuse by Jennifer Levy-Peck

For Adult Survivors of Abuse

Sexual Healing Journey: A Guide to Survivors of Sexual Abuse by Wendy Maltz

The Courage to Heal by Ellen Bass and Laura Davis

The Courage to Heal Workbook by Laura Davis

Victims No Longer: The Classic Guide for Men Recovering from Sexual Child Abuse by Mike Lew

For Special Populations

No Secrets No Lies: How Black Families Can Heal From Sexual Abuse  by Robin Stone

I Will Survive: The African American Guide to Healing From Sexual Assaults and Abuse by Lori Robinson

I Can Be Safe! by the Abused Deaf Women's Advocacy Services

Cyberbullying: What It Is and How to Protect Your Children

The internet has brought along many conveniences. Shopping, searching and being social have all become accessible with the click of an icon. Unfortunately, the convenience of connection has led to the development of something that negatively affects 1 in 3 children: cyberbullying.

Cyberbullying is done online or through cell phones. Like its counterpart and predecessor, bullying, it involves humiliating, harassing and terrorizing the intended target. Parents should be aware of the impact cyberbullying may have on their child. It can cause low self esteem and can lead to a deterioration of their self confidence. Cyberbullies are not able to sense how hurtful their actions are because they are unable to witness the reactions of their victims, so they tend to torment further than other forms of bullying.

Some ways to protect your children include:

• Block communication from cyberbullies and delete messages before reading them
• Never post or share personal information online
• Never share their internet passwords with someone (other than a caregiver)
• Never put anything online through email or text that you wouldn’t want someone you don’t trust seeing
• Do not send messages or post anything online when they are upset

For more information on how to prevent cyberbullying or how to tell if this is affecting your family, visit here and here.

If you or someone you know feels suicidal as a result of cyberbullying, please call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

2012 NCA Report is IN!

The National Children’s Alliance annual report for 2012 was recently released! Not only has NCA expanded CAC development in underserved areas, but there has also been an increase in community awareness and advocacy!

The National Children’s Alliance is an organization that advocates and helps communities in providing a multi-disciplinary approach and comprehensive response to victims of child abuse. Today, there are 775 Children’s Advocacy Centers and 47 State Chapters throughout the country! The 2012 report states that “15 states have 100 percent service coverage and 2/3 of all counties have access to Children’s Advocacy Centers.”

According to the 2012 report, the number of children served by Children’s Advocacy Centers across the country has increased by 175% since 2000.

2012 NCA Statistics

• 65% of the total number of children served last year were sexual abuse victims
• 39% were not old enough to attend kindergarten
• 96% knew their perpetrator
•  39%  were 0-6 years old
• 36% were 7-12 years old
• 25% were 13-18 years old
• 63% were females
• 37% were males
• 40% were abused by a parent or parent’s significant other

NCA, through supporting Children’s Advocacy Centers, is helping communities stand up for children.

For more information on the 2012 National Children’s Alliance Annual Report, click here.

Advance the Dream for Children!

Today, 50 years after the March on Washington, we are given the opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made as a society. Since 1963, we have made strides towards what is in the best interest of our children in the following ways:

· (1973) Marian Wright Edelman founds the Children's Defense Fund, a leading national organization that lobbies for children's rights and welfare.

· (1974) The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act is passed, creating the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect.

· (1975) National Network for Youth- Founded as the only national membership organization focused solely on the needs of homeless, runaway and disconnected youth.

· (Late 1970s) The rise of the feminist movement launches "previously hidden and taboo issues," including child sex abuse and incest, onto the national stage.

· (1981) Seven years after its establishment by Congress, the National Center for Child Abuse and Neglect publishes its first study on the incidence of child abuse and neglect, including sexual abuse.

· (1982) The Supreme Court considers the issue of child pornography for the first time in Ferber v. New York.

· (1987) The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children is founded.

· (1990) The Supreme Court allows victims of child sex abuse to testify in court through one-way closed circuit video. This decision makes it easier for childhood victims to testify while avoiding the personal trauma of having to directly face their abusers.

· (1993) Congress passes the National Child Protection Act.

· (1997) Congress passes the Adoption and Safe Families Act, which for the first time requires criminal background checks of any prospective foster or adoptive parent who is receiving federal assistance.

· (1999) The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act details what a website operator must include in a privacy policy, when and how to seek verifiable consent from a parent or guardian, and what responsibilities an operator has to protect children's privacy and safety online including restrictions on marketing to those under 13.

· (2005) The National Sex Offender Public Registry launches.

· (2008) Stop Child Abuse in Residential Programs for Teens Act of 2008- The act would require certain standards and enforcement provisions to prevent child abuse and neglect in residential programs, and for other purposes.

How will you continue to “advance the dream” for our children?

New Law: Who is a mandated reporter for child abuse?

A mandated reporter is anyone who frequently works with children. These professionals can include coaches, clergy, educational professionals, as well as social workers. The new law, which came into effect August 1^st, states that these individuals are mandated reporters even when they are not serving in their profession.

Although occupation is an indicator of whether or not one is a mandated reporter, there are specific times when everyone is required by law to act in this capacity. These times include when an adult witnesses the sexual abuse of a child, and when any person knows of a homicide, rape or sexual abuse of a child. Because it is a legal obligation, is it important to report, even if the adult is not completely sure that the child is experiencing sexual or physical abuse.

In order to report abuse of a child by their caregiver, call 855-4LAKIDS. If the alleged offender is not the child’s caregiver, then it is important to contact the local non-emergency law enforcement number. Within five days of giving an oral report, a written report must be made and submitted via fax.

Failure to report can result in imprisonment, fines or both. It is better to report, even if unsure, then to not report at all. Reporting in good faith will protect the identity of the reporter, and will also protect them from any civic or criminal liability.

For more information on mandated reporters and for a full training from the Department of Children and Family Services, click here!!

Abusive Head Trauma/Shaken Baby Syndrom

Last Thursday, Dr. Neha Mehta gave a presentation on Abusive Head Trauma to members of the Multi-Disciplinary Team. Dr. Mehta, who is the medical director of the Audrey Hepburn CARE Center, Children’s Hospital, New Orleans, presented to members of Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Gretna Police Department, Department of Children and Family Services and the District Attorney’s office. The presentation was designed to help the audience understand what Abusive Head Trauma is, how to investigate abusive head trauma and what the role of the clinical pediatrician is.

Abusive Head Trauma, also known as Shaken Baby Syndrome, occurs when a caregiver shakes, or otherwise physically abuses a baby out of frustration. Abusive Head Trauma diagnosis relies heavily on whether or not the provided history is consistent with the type of injury a baby has, and whether or not the injury was the result of an accident.

Because the injuries resulting from Abusive Head Trauma can be subtle, it is important to be aware of the signs. For example, there is no such thing as a “killer couch.” If a child is brought to a doctor with bruising or injury in places such as the genitals or trunk and the caregiver says that the infant “fell off a couch,” there is cause for speculation. Typically, if a child is too young to “cruise,” then they are too young to “bruise.”

Thanks so much to Dr. Mehta for her presentation!

For more information on AHT/SBS, click here!

$5,000 Awarded to the Jefferson Children's Advocacy Center

Jefferson Parish Council Awards $5,000 to the Jefferson Children's Advocacy Center

From left to right (Wayne Zimmerman, JCAC Board President; Omalee Gordon, JCAC Board Secretary; Yvonne James, JCAC Office Manager; Brittney Bergeron, JCAC Forensic Interviewer; Erika Dupepe, JCAC Executive Director; Ashley Sturz, JCAC AmeriCorps VISTA; Mark Spears, Councilman and JCAC Advisory Board Member; Gail Pesses, JCAC Board Vice President; Chris Trosclair, JCAC Board Treasurer)

The Jefferson CAC would like to express its deepest appreciation to the entire Jefferson Parish Council, and Councilmember/Advisory Board Member Mark Spears, for the recent resolution award of $5000!  Thanks to their support of our organization and work we do, this money will be used to assist us in continuing to provide the best services possible for Jefferson Parish’s children. 

Six Louisianian Children Rescued from Prostitution

Six Children Recovered from Prostitution

The FBI partnered with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in Operation Cross Country--an initiative to rescue children forced into prostitution as well as arrest those who prostitute these children. In total,105 children were rescued and 150 pimps were arrested in a three day probe throughout 76 cities in the United States. Six of these children and six of the pimps were discovered in Louisiana.

To learn more about Operation Cross Country, follow these links:

http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20130729/NEWS02/307290013/6-arrested-6-children-recovered-from-New-Orleans-prostitution-sting

http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2013/07/authorities_rescue_four_juveni.html#incart_river_default

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/07/29/fbi-rescues-at-least-105-child-prostitutes-in-nationwide-undercover-operation/

What is child sexual abuse?

“It could never happen to my family…” “Child sex abuse doesn’t exist in my neighborhood…”

There are a lot of misconceptions about child sexual abuse. Although we would like to believe that the children closest to us would never be subject to sex abuse, research shows that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused by the time they turn 18. Child sex abuse is a reality that adults should be knowledgeable of because it is so prevalent in our society. When we become aware of child sexual abuse, we are better equipped to protect children and hold perpetrators accountable. Child sex abuse can be pressuring a child to engage in sexual acts, but can also include non-contact acts, such as persuading a child to watch pornography or communicating in a sexual manner by phone or internet.

Child sexual abuse is traumatic for its victims and the effects of these agonizing experiences begin almost immediately. Not only does it foster drug and alcohol dependence, but it can also cause mental illness and other health issues, such as Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder.

There are opportunities for adults to reduce the risk of sexual abuse.  Although it would be unhealthy to automatically assume everyone is a perpetrator, there are some precautions that you can take to ensure the safety of the children you care about. Think carefully about the safety of one-adult/one-child situations. Being aware of your surroundings in these situations is important to the safety of the children in your life. You can also set examples by being self-aware of the one-child/one-adult interactions you have. Monitoring internet use can also reduce the risk of sex abuse. 

The more aware we are in our communities, the less likely our children will be abused!

Many of the facts in this blog came from here.

For more information on child sexual abuse and child sexual abuse prevention, check out:

MOSAC

Darkness to Light

LGBTQ Youth Disproportionately Victimized

Between five and 10 percent of the population identify as LGBTQ, or lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning. Research shows that there are disproportionate numbers of LGBTQ youth facing family rejection, victimization and abuse and neglect at home. When LGBTQ youth are victims of violence and family rejection, the likelihood that they will participate in high-risk behavior, such as substance abuse and attempted suicide, increases significantly.

• 31% of men and 29% of women reported experiencing harassment or physical violence from family members on the basis of their sexual orientation
•  26% of gay male youth were forced to leave home because of conflicts with family members over sexual orientation
• In a survey of 402 transgendered people, 78% reported having been verbally harassed and 48% reported having been victims of assault, including assault with a weapon, sexual assault, and rape
•  32% (in comparison to 7% heterosexual youth) reported a suicide attempt

LGBTQ youth who have been abused are also more likely to be revictimized, or “the notion that individuals who experience victimization in childhood are at increased risk for subsequent victimization at some point in their lives.” Revictimization can include depression and anxiety, as well as other traumas, such as sexual and physical abuse.

There are a growing number of resources for support for LGBTQ youth. Check out the links below for more information!
Lambda Legal
Child Welfare League of America
Risk Data
Childhood victimization and lifetime revictimization

Recent Study Focuses on Effects of Sibling Aggression

I was recently watching an episode of a cartoon in which a sister sends her younger brother forward in time “forever” so that she could continue her life in peace and quiet.

This show reminded me of the occasional combativeness I expressed with my younger brother. Who hasn’t wanted to send a sibling forward in time for some uninterrupted relaxation in the present? After hearing about a recent study published in the journal Pediatrics that explored the effects of sibling aggression on mental distress in children and adolescents, I became nervous that my wish for kin time travel might have somehow had a devastating effect on my brother’s mental health.

Although it is common for siblings to fight, there is an increasing interest in the more destructive behaviors. The study was conducted by the University of New Hampshire and focused on thousands of phone interviews with children aged 0-9, and 10-17. It found that “the possible importance of sibling aggression for children’s and adolescents’ mental health should not be dismissed.” Mild physical harm, meanness and psychological harm all had effects such as anxiety, depression or anger.

This is something that is avoidable; parents can teach conflict management to children to avoid mental distress from sibling aggression. Besides teaching safety, offering support and cooperation, siblings can learn to be accountable for their actions, and with all of these factors, respect will be earned. This can minimize sibling aggression, both psychological and physical.

As for my brother, I’ll let him decide if sibling aggression caused any long lasting psychological damage.

The VISTA

See the study here!

Keeping Kids Safe on July 4th

With Independence Day quickly approaching, we would like to provide you with some tips on child safety! While July 4^th is an opportunity for the whole community to come together and celebrate everything American with parades and fireworks, it is important to observe safety precautions which can help you and your families avoid dangerous situations.

• Review safety rules with children before you leave your home. Ensuring that kids have contact information memorized will be helpful in the event of separation.

• Dress your children in clothing that is easily distinguishable from the rest of a crowd.

• Accompany and supervise children in public facilities, including restrooms.

• Keep children with you at all times and strictly enforce a buddy system for older children, including designating a time and place to meet.

• If you are celebrating this Independence Day away on vacation, have children memorize or keep handy your cell phone number and address, as well as the name, phone number, and address of the place you are staying.

• Remind children to remain in the area where they become separated, and teach them to dial 9-1-1 in emergency situations.

• Point out unsafe places to play and discourage kids from taking shortcuts or playing near dangerous intersections.

• In the event they are grabbed by a stranger, instruct children to yell, “This person is trying to take me!” or “This is not my mother/father!” and to resist by pulling, walking or running away.

• If traveling away to celebrate, look up the new location’s sex offender registry and be aware of your surroundings.

• Make sure your children don’t play too close to the fireworks, drink lots of water and wear sunscreen!

 For more tips, click here!

Children with Disabilities and Sexual Abuse

Children with Disabilities and Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse of children with disabilities is an alarming but greatly ignored issue. Children with disabilities--such as physical, mental, intellectual-- are 2.9 times more likely to be sexually abused than children without disabilities. Vulnerability to sexual abuse increases depending on the child's disability. For instance, children with intellectual and mental health disabilities are 4.6 times more likely to be sexually abused than children without disabilities. Of child sexual abuse victims, 11% report having a disability.

Certain factors have been identified as contributing to sexual abuse among children with disabilities:

Children with disabilities rely on others to care for them. Personal care for children with disabilities may be performed by a family members of care workers, which can blur the line of appropriate and inappropriate touches. All children are taught to listen to authorities, but this is especially enforced for children with disabilities.Children who are taught to always listen to adults maybe less likely to understand if an adult is hurting them and to disclose abuse.

Responding to sexual abuse with children with disabilities can be challenging. Child sexual abuse victims who have disabilities face barriers in seeking justice as well as in healing with help of professionals.

Prevention concerning sexual abuse of children with disabilities has fallen short. Few tactics for prevention specifically among this population have been created and disseminated.

Low levels of awareness of sexual abuse of children with disabilities. When child sexual abuse is mentioned, little attention is given to children with disabilities. Some people may think of the adult model of attraction and may deem children with disabilities as unattractive to perpetrators. In reality, perpetrators seek children who are vulnerable to victimization.

As advocates for all children, we need to learn to work to prevent child sexual abuse and remove barriers for children to heal. If you would like  more information, please contact the Jefferson Children's Advocacy Center at 504-364-3857.

Remember to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!
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Sources:
Children's Bureau of HHS. (2013). Sexual Abuse of Children With Disabilities by Children's Bureau of HHS.

Harrell, S., Smith, N. (2013). Sexual Abuse of Children with Disabilities: A National Snapshot. VERA Institute of Justice. Retrieved from: http://www.vera.org/pubs/sexual-abuse-of-children-with-disabilities-national-snapshot

National PTSD Awareness Day

National Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day

June 27th is National Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Day. About half of all women and 60% of men have experienced trauma, and of those 20% and 8%, respectively, have developed PTSD. Sexual and physical abuse are traumatic events, and children who experience it may suffer from post traumatic stress disorder. 

Symptoms of PTSD

• constant thoughts about the event 

• nightmares about the event

• emotional triggers 

• refraining from thinking or talking about the trauma

• hypervigilance in order to protect oneself from trauma

What is PTSD? According to the NCPTSD, PTSD is "an anxiety disorder resulting from exposure to a single traumatic event or multiple traumatic events, such as sexual or physical assault, natural or man-made disaster, and war-related combat stress." 

The likelihood of a child developing PTSD after abuse depends on multiple factors such as the intensity of the trauma and amount of support they received after the event.

Children with PTSD can live positive, healthy lives and it is important they receive support. To learn more about resources for children who have experienced due to trauma from abuse offered in Jefferson Parish, please call the JCAC at 504-364-3857. 
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Please visit the National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder's website:
http://www.nctsn.org/resources/public-awareness/national-ptsd-awareness-day#q2

To learn more about PTSD, follow this link to a booklet created by the Department of Veteran Affairs and the NCPTSD: 
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/understanding_ptsd/booklet.pdf

Learn more about abuse related condition from the Adult Surviving Child Abuse webpage: http://www.asca.org.au/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=45

The Importance of CACs Explained by Bud Cramer

Bud Cramer Explains Importance of CACs

Bud Cramer makes a plea to Congress and the President to install funding for Children's Advocacy Centers across the country. Bud, a former Alabama Congressperson and District Attorney, was instrumental in the creation of the CAC model and eventually the National Children's Alliance. Mr. Cramer recounts his journey and stresses the importance of CACs in his piece, "Don't Turn Your Back on Victims of Child Abuse" on RollCall.com.

Here are some key points made by Mr. Cramer:

• 5 children die from abuse and neglect each day and every 13 seconds a child is abused
• More than 800 Children's Advocacy Centers exist in the US
• CACs reduce the cost of each investigation by an average of $1,000
• 280,000 children were served by CACs last year alone

Please check out Bud Cramer's article to learn how vital CACs are to helping child victims.

PS. Just a reminder to "like" us on Facebook, "Follow" us on Twitter, and visit our webpage at www.jeffersoncac.org!

Protecting Your Child on the Internet

Protecting Your Child on the Internet

Social media and the internet has forever changed the way we communicate. Through the internet, most specifically through Facebook and social media, we can update our friends in a matter of seconds about where we are, what we're doing, and we can even post our pictures. However, these freedoms create risks for children when their pictures are posted and when the internet is easily accessible to them.

In his blog on Channel4 News, author Geoff White states that tracking and stopping child sexual abuse photos by from surfacing is a daunting task for internet companies. However, he adds that the systems to track these photos are becoming more sophisticated.

Being aware of the risks of social media is important for parents.While Facebook offers privacy settings, this option may end up providing a false sense of security. First of all, any picture posted on the internet enters the public domain. Geoff White points out in his blog that pictures can easily be saved. Secondly, it's doubtful that we truly know all of our friends on Facebook, and that we can guarantee they are trustworthy.

Prevent Child Abuse (PCA) America created a "Staying Safe on the Internet: A Guide for Parents." Here are some ways to keep your kids safe online suggested by PCA:

• Learn how the internet works and what your kids can access
• Decide what material is off-limits (sexually explicit, hateful material, drugs and alcohol) and discuss these limits with your child
• Maintain open communication with your child about their activities online
• Explain to your child that not everything on the internet is true
• Tell your child that some people online may be lying about their identity and could be looking to hurt kids

The internet offers many great opportunities for children to learn, but keeping children safe needs to be our top priority.

Please visit our website, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.

Bill to Require Restitution for Victims of Child Sex Trafficking

Bill to Require Restitution for Victims of Child Sex Trafficking

A bill will soon be presented to the Governor that will require perpetrators to pay restitution to their child victims of sex trafficking. Through this bill, Senate Bill 88 sponsored by Senator Sharon Weston Broom, the Exploited Children's Special Fund will be created. The fund will assist victims with necessities, such as education and housing. Other parts of the bill will work to ease the stigma placed on these children by creating a diversion program.

To learn more about this bill, please visit the link: http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/06/bill_creating_fund_for_sex_tra.html

Remember to visit our website, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter!

Celebrate Memorial Day

Honoring Memorial Day with Your Children

Memorial Day is right around the corner! Here are some ways that you can honor our military heroes--those who lost their lives, have served, and are currently serving-- with your children:

1)      Send a care package or write a thank you letter to a soldier

2)      Go to a public gathering and make sure to thank a veteran or servicemember while you're there

3)      Wear red, white, and blue to show patriotism

4)      Visit your local memorial cemetary:  http://www.cem.va.gov/cems/listcem.asp

5)     Participate in the National Moment of Silence at 3pm

For more ideas, check out these blogs.

Check out these blogs: 

http://www.momtastic.com/parenting/activities/172657-5-kid-friendly-ways-to-celebrate-memorial-day

http://life.familyeducation.com/slideshow/memorial-day/70273.html?page=5

http://www.sheknows.com/holidays-and-seasons/articles/959505/how-to-celebrate-memorial-day-withmeaning