The Beau Biden Foundation for the Protection of Children is hosting a best-practice training for adults to help recognize signs of impending child abuse, and help prevent it.
The trainings, called Stewards of Children, from the organization Darkness to Light, were brought to the First State in 2010 when Beau Biden recognized a need for more awareness when it comes to children and sexual abuse.
He brought the program to Delaware during the 2010 Jerry Sandusky case in Pennsylvania, and pledged to bring Stewards of Children to at least 5 percent of all Delawareans.
The training includes a documentary video with victims sharing their stories as well as a workbook and group discussions.
The Beau Biden Foundation's Executive Director Patricia Dailey Lewis says the training is designed to help adults recognize warning signs of impending abuse.
“One in 10 children will be sexually abused before they turn 18 years old. One in 10. And out of those, 90% of those knew their abuser," Lewis said. "So we’ve spent a lot of time historically in society training for the stranger in the park. That’s part of the picture but it’s not the largest part of the picture.”
Lewis says warning signs of potential “grooming” of children by a sexual abuser include sending gifts to the children and asking to spend one-on-one time with the kids.
“More than 80 percent of all child sexual abuse occurs in isolated one-on-one contact between adults and youth or more powerful use. So if you eliminate or reduce that potential, the risk will be dramatically lower,” Lewis said.
The trainings are offered free of charge, and last about 2.5 hours. More information about the trainings can be found here.
