"Kids Are Worth It!" Conference

Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana's 

"Kids Are Worth It!" Conference

From left to right: JCAC Executive Director, Erika Dupepe; Former Miss America and Incest Survivor, Marilyn Van Derbur; JCAC Forensic Interviewer, Brittney Bergeron; JCAC AmeriCorps VISTA, Ashley Sturz

The Jefferson Children's Advocacy Center team attended the Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana's 27th Annual "Kid's Are Worth It!" Conference. The conference focused on child abuse prevention and equipped participants with further knowledge to end the epidemic of child abuse.

Keynote speaker, Marilyn Van Derbur--former Miss America, author, and incest survivor--told her story of surviving incest, including the challenges and triumphs in her recovery. Ms. Van Derbur has shared her story with many audiences in order to increase awareness and to promote child abuse prevention. Marilyn is truly an inspiration!

Another highlight of the conference included the presentation by, Carey Casey, CEO of the National Center for Fathering (NCF). Mr.Casey used humor to share his passion for the mission of the NCF and Championship Fathering. The movement of Championship Fathering prompts fathers to "Love their children, Coach their children, Model for their children, Encourage other children, and Enlist other dads to join the team". 

The JCAC team thanks everyone who made the conference a success! 

P.S. Just a reminder-- remember to 'like' us on Facebook, 'follow' us on Twitter, or sign-up for our e-newsletter!

Do You Use Proper Words?

Proper Words

What words do you use when you talk to your child about their private parts? Do you use euphenisms or do you teach them proper names?

Pediatricians and other professionals who work with children overwhelmingly support teaching children proper names for their "private" parts. Using nicknames can imply that these body parts are shameful and dirty, and can make victimization of children easier for perpetrators.

Proper terminology gives children ownership of their body. When children know and use the appropriate words for their body parts they can more easily disclose abuse. Furthermore, children are more empowered to identify when they are being inappropriately touched.

For more information on proper names, read these articles:
http://www.today.com/moms/just-say-vagina-using-correct-body-part-names-empowers-kids-6C9551650

http://m.parenting.com/article/tips-child-sex-abuse-prevention#bmb=1

Trees for Life Ceremony

Trees for Life

Child advocates in the greater New Orleans area gathered to commemorate the 42 children who died from abuse and neglect in Louisiana during 2012. The event was hosted at the New Orleans Children's Advocacy Center on April 22nd, 2013.

At the ceremony child advocates were honored with a tree representing a child who died from abuse or neglect. When the honoree was awarded their tree, the child's age and the reason for their death was read to the audience. The honoree was asked to plant their tree and to hang a blue ribbon on it every April in tribute to the child who died. The blue ribbon represents Child Abuse Prevention.

To learn more about the event, follow this link:
http://theadvocate.com/news/neworleans/neworleansnews/5780070-123/trees-for-life

2nd Annual Step Up for Children Gala

The Jefferson Children's Advocacy Center's

2nd Annual Step Up for Children Gala

From left to right: Wayne Zimmerman (Board President), Melanie Hebert (Board member and Emcee), Terrance Osborne (local artist), Erika Dupépé (Executive Director), Dennis Woltering (Emcee)

The Jefferson Children's Advocacy Center's 2nd Annual Step Up for Children Gala was a huge success!  We had a great turn-out and raised over $40,000 for the JCAC.  The funds raised will support our mission of investigating, treating, and preventing child victimization in Jefferson Parish.  

The activities of the evening were led by our energetic emcees, Melanie Hebert and Dennis Woltering, both news anchors from WWL-TV.  The Yat Pack kept the night rolling with live entertainment featuring covers of Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble, Billy Joel and much more. 

Local news anchors were asked to decorate step-stools to be sold at our live and silent auctions. The decorated step-stools went hand-in-hand with the Gala's "Step Up for Children" theme.  Many anchors asked local artists to decorate the stools on their behalf.  Simon Hardeveld painted a stool for Susan Roesgen (WGNO) in-line with his signature style, and John Carambat crafted a stool into a steam-punk themed pig on behalf of Angela Hill (WWL).  Chet Pourciau constructed a unique piece on behalf of Shelley Brown decked out with crawfish and corncobs that embodied the Greater New Orleans spirit (WVUE). Terrance Osborne painted a step-stool for Sally-Ann Roberts (WWL) to reflect Sally-Ann's favorite Bible verse, Psalms 1:3:

"That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-- whatever they do prospers."

Sally-Ann Roberts with Terrance Osborne. Terrance Osborne painted the stool on behalf of Sally-Ann and it was sold at the 2nd Annual Step Up for Children Gala's live auction for $8,000.

Over 25 items were put to bid at our silent auction, which included signed sports memorabilia from the Saints, Hornets, and LSU Tigers; gift baskets stocked with certificates to local sites and restaurants; as well as beautiful art and jewelry. 

Thanks to everyone who made the 2nd Annual Step Up for Children Gala a success!  We hope you all join us next year!

Protective Factors for Preventing Child Abuse

Protective Factors

Why does child abuse happen? There is not a clear answer, but professionals have agreed that when families have certain characteristics--referred to as protective factors-- child abuse is less likely to occur.

1) Nurturing and Attachment - Parents and children need to form a strong, caring bond to ensure that children achieve positive development.
2) Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development - Parents who understand child development are more likely to provide an environment that is safe and where children can achieve their potential.
3) Parental Resilience - When parents are able to effectively bounce back from occasional crisis and everyday stressors, they will likely refrain from directing stress at their children.
4) Social Connections - Parents can utilize positive relationships with other adults to gain support and learn additional parenting tactics.
5) Concrete Supports for Parents - Basic needs--food, shelter, transportation, healthcare-- must be in place for a parent to support the well-being of their children and themselves.
6) Social and Emotional Competence of Children - When children can effectively communicate their needs, parents are better able to fulfill these needs.

For more in-depth information concerning protective factors, visit Child Information Gateway:
https://www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/preventionmonth/factors.cfm

Presidential Proclamation on Child Abuse Prevention Month

President Proclaims April 2013 as 

National Child Abuse Prevention Month

"National Child Abuse Prevention Month is a time to make their struggle our own and reaffirm a simple truth: that no matter the challenges we face, caring for our children must always be our first task." --President Barack Obama

In his weekly address President Barack Obama proclaimed April 2013 as Child Abuse Prevention Month. The President acknowledges the importance of Child Abuse Prevention as an initiative needing action by families, communities, states, and the nation. To read his full proclamation, follow the link:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/03/29/presidential-proclamation-national-child-abuse-prevention-month-2013

The Jefferson Children's Advocacy Center is promoting Child Abuse Prevention Month in full-swing this April!

Gretna Police Department Participates in Darkness to Light

Gretna Police Department is the First Police Partner in Prevention in the Nation!

We are thrilled to announce that the Gretna Police Department is a Darkness to Light (D2L) Police Partner in Prevention!  Ninety-eight percent of the Gretna Police Department completed the Darkness to Light Stewards of Children training facilitated by the JCAC.  Gretna PD is the first Police Partner in Prevention in the nation!

Adequate prevention and response to child sexual abuse is the responsibility of adults—this is the core of the Darkness to Light Stewards of Children program. D2L is a non-profit that pursues the mission of reducing child sexual abuse through education and awareness.  The training is the only evidence-based program that “increase(s) knowledge, improve(s) attitudes and change(s) child-protective behavior” of those who participate.  To learn more about the work of Darkness to Light, please visit their website: http://www.d2l.org/

JCAC strongly encourages you and your organization to attend our next Stewards of Children training on June 14 from 1-4pm at the Coroner’s Office Auditorium in Harvey. The JCAC can also schedule a training prior to this date for a group of 10 or more. To register or request a training, or to learn more about us, please call the Jefferson Children's Advocacy Center at (504) 364-3857 or visit us online at www.jeffersoncac.com.

For every individual adult who attends this training, up to 10 children can be protected from sexual abuse.  Help us raise awareness and take responsibility for preventing child sexual abuse in our community together…call us today!