Prevent Child Abuse Indiana
September 2021 Newsletter
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PCAIN Prevention:
September is National Suicide Prevention Month
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No, child abuse prevention and suicide prevention are not the same thing but a direct correlation between them does exist. According to an extensive 2019 research analysis by the University of Manchester and South Wales University, “individuals experiencing child abuse (physical, sexual or emotional) were two to three times more likely to kill themselves as adults.” Despite my work in and around the disturbing topics of suicide and child abuse for most of my career, this revelation is harrowing. The complete article from The Guardian publication can be accessed using the link here. It is consistent with the well-known ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) study by Dr. Robert Anda and Dr. Vincent Felitti in 1995, which postulates that exposure to childhood trauma has what is known as a “dose response” relationship to adult emotional and physical illness. In other words, the more ACEs one is exposed to as a child the more likely they are to experience a higher likelihood of emotional or physical health complications as adults. Since child abuse is one of the categories of ACEs, this should not be surprising, yet it is.
The good news for both the ACEs study and suicide prevention research is that there are ways to positively intervene and improve the health outcomes of individuals with exposure to child abuse or Adverse Childhood Experiences, through the implementation of a system of protective factors. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention published an article, which can be linked to here, highlighting the following “Protective Factors,” to help effectively manage the impact for one’s exposure to traumatic events:
- Access to mental health care, and being proactive about mental health
- Feeling connected to family and community support
- Problem-solving and coping skills
- Limited access to lethal means
- Cultural and religious beliefs that encourage connecting and help-seeking, discourage suicidal behavior, or create a strong sense of purpose or self-esteem
The idea of protective factors is not new but is not as widely known or celebrated as it deserves. Due to a lack of space, I am unable to delve more deeply into the worthwhile topic of protective factors. However, more information about protective factors can be found by accessing this link, and the link here, should you choose to avail yourself.
-- Jeff Wittman, MBA, PCAIN Prevention Program Manager
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PCAIN Program Highlight: Nurturing Parents Community Class |
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Prevent Child Abuse Indiana has done several Nurturing Fathers' Parent Series online, and now are proposing a Nurturing Parent Series! One class each week for 8 weeks in Total!
THIS NEW CLASS begins September 22nd and will meet on Wednesdays from 6:00 pm (Eastern Time) until 7:30pm (Eastern Time) for Eight (8) Consecutive Sessions ending November 10th
WHERE: Virtual Zoom Meeting
WHO IS INVITED: Parents, Grandparents, Mentors, etc.
INCENTIVES: Weekly gas card drawing and a $25 gift card and training certificate upon program completion
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PCAIN Program Spotlight: What Would I Do? Training for Youth |
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Our Teens are the Future and worth protecting! Let's do all we can to make sure they are in safe environments and relationships. Gather a group and encourage safe practice dialog. We can help.
What Would I Do? (WWID) is an evidence driven, research-based trafficking prevention curriculum for Indiana youth. Since 2015, this critical primary prevention program has been delivered to thousands of youths around the state. We believe that EFFECTIVE
prevention begins with the OPPORTUNITY for open, honest conversations with examples that connect to everyday life.
The program is designed to be highly interactive, not only for student engagement, but for relatability. The program asks students to interact with and discuss real life examples of situations, media, advertising, and language that contribute to their sense of health, safety, self-image, and ultimately their choices. A wide range of topics and concepts are covered including:
- Healthy/Unhealthy relationships and their attributes
- Consent
- Types of and Cycles of Abuse
- Age of consent/ Romeo & Juliet law
- Social media safety and online relationships
- Sexting
- Catfishing
- Power imbalance and the grooming process
- Sextortion
- Social and cultural messages about sex and sexuality
- Defining Trafficking, Red Flags and Risk Factors
- Identifying action steps
Request a WWID/Healthy Relationship series (2 one-hour sessions) for your community groups, church groups, school programs at our website.
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Upcoming PCAIN Community Trainings |
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Sept 14th 1:30-2:30pm (EST) Bullying Prevention presented by Brian Carter, LBSW, PCAIN Prevention Educational Specialist & Dads Inc. Program Director See details and to register.
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Sept 16th Noon-1:00pm (EST) *Parent's Cafe: Engage a Life to Save a Life" See details and to register. *No training credit for this facilitated discussion session.
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Sept 8th - Oct 27th Nurturing Fathers Series by Brian Carter, LBSW, PCAIN Prevention Education Specialist & Dads Inc. Program Director. To register.
Visit our WEBSITE or Facebook page often for additional training opportunities
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PCAIN Educational Brochures |
It is estimated that one-third of homes with children have a firearm in the household. It is our responsibility to ensure a child’s safety if there is a gun in a home where a child resides. This brochure gives suggestions on the following topics: 1) Talk to Your Kids and Their Caregivers, 2) Dispose of Guns You Don’t Need, and 3) Store Guns and Ammunition Safely.
Brochures are $1.00 for package of 50 brochures. This is just one of many educational resources available from PCAIN. Click here to order or to discover the many other resources available. PCAIN website now offers “Print Your Own” on the Educational Materials link.
We also offer PCAIN Merchandise on our website SHOP
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Kids First Support of
Prevent Child Abuse Indiana
We thank Kids First for continuing to support our charge in ensuring that our mission to "make Indiana a better, safer place for Indiana's most precious resources - our children" is achieved.
Help support statewide efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect by the continued use of the Kids First license plate, or when your plates are due again by purchasing the Kids First license plate. For more information please visit their website. Funding from the Kids First plates helps us work with our Prevention Councils throughout Indiana.
If you would like to make a donation to Prevent Child Abuse Indiana directly, Click Here
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