Spring 2023

Welcome to the MassKids Chronicle, where citizens can learn the latest news
about efforts to address child sexual abuse and how they can take action in
their own homes and communities to prevent it.

Prevent Child Sexual Abuse Massachusetts Advocacy Briefing

Thursday, April 20^th -10AM – 11:30AM via ZOOM

MassKids and its Enough Abuse Campaign will host a virtual Advocacy
Briefing to educate citizens, policymakers and advocates about a package of
bills aimed at preventing child sexual abuse in Massachusetts homes and
communities. The bills constitute a set of model policies and practices
that, when adopted will rank Massachusetts first in the nation in efforts
to prevent child sexual abuse before the fact. Participants will learn from
legislators and child advocates the history of these bills and what each
will accomplish, and from survivors of childhood sexual abuse, why passage
is so crucial.

[1]REGISTER HERE for this Virtual Briefing.

"Survivors Nest" Event

Tuesday, April 11, 11:30AM -1:00 PM, MA State House/Nurses Hall

Senator Joan Lovely will host the ”[2]Survivors Nest” Event with survivors
of childhood sexual abuse to discuss its impact and the critical need to
prevent it. Sen. Lovely and MassKids Director Jetta Bernier will highlight
a package of bills that would mandate child sexual abuse prevention
education in schools and youth organizations; strengthen the screening of
prospective school employees; and close the Age of Consent loophole that
protects sexual abusers. Child USAdvocacy Director Kathryn Robb will
discuss efforts this year in 31 states to eliminate the Statute of
Limitations in child sexual abuse cases and why Massachusetts must join the
movement to do the same.

Wednesday April 12th at 7pm, the Cabot Theater in Beverly, MA will hold a
screening of Bittersweet, The Survivor Nest Project Documentary by Katie
Bourgeois. A Q&A will follow. Register for free at:
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You can help "Pass the Prevention Package!" using our quick and easy Email
Campaign feature that will send an email to your Senator and Representative
and ask them to support these bills. Click the button below, enter your
name, email and address, and an already drafted email will automatically be
generated and sent. You can choose to edit it, or send as is!

[4]Email your legislators!

Visit [5]Citizens to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse to learn more about these
bills and subscribe for future updates about the status of these bills,
Public Hearings and Testimony, etc.

Enough! Prevention Courses for Schools & YSOs

The Enough! Preventing Child Sexual Abuse online courses have been
completed by over 15,000 staff at 160 schools and youth serving
organizations (YSOs).

School and YSO directors, school committee members, and other leaders can
take the one-hour online course for their organization at no cost as a
preview, to consider adopting the training for all their staff.

Make your organization a safer place for children! Email us at
[6][email protected] for a free preview. Download our informative flyer
and share with your leadership team.

[7]View Enough! School Flyer

[8]View Enough! YSO Flyer

Problematic Sexual Behaviors in Children

A new report “[9]Problematic Sexual Behaviors in Children and Adolescents:
A Research Overview” seeks to expand the public's awareness and
understanding of children/teens exhibiting problematic sexual behavior
(PSB) and also address the implications for these children, their families,
caregivers and professionals. The report, produced by members of the
Massachusetts Legislative Task Force to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse
highlights research showing that children and adolescents with (PSB) who
receive appropriate interventions, will not reoffend.

It offers a shared language that ensures we talk about these children and
youth as kids first rather than just label them by their behaviors. The
report also offers insights into best assessment and treatment practices
when working with these children to ensure that they can live safely in the
community.

Finally, key resources for different age groups have been identified and
included. To provide feedback about the report or how you can use this
important information, email Joan Tabachnick, MASOC Executive Director,
at [10][email protected].

What's OK? from Stop It Now!

To reach young people ages 14-21 who have questions about healthy sexuality
or concerns they may engage in sexually inappropriate/harmful behaviors
against a peer or younger child, Stop It Now! has launched [11]WhatsOK.org.

This cutting-edge resource offers age-appropriate information and resources
via FAQs that cover consent, why people sexually harm, porn addiction,
sexting, and

how to privately access therapy. The website is also a portal to a free and
confidential helpline available via text, chat, email or phone.

[12]A[13]ccess a flyer here[14] [15]to share information about this
resource with your networks, clients and young people.

MassKids Joins CDC Research Initiative

MassKids is partnering with Prevent Child Abuse America and the National
Conference of State Legislatures on a 5-year CDC-funded research initiative
to evaluate the effects of child sexual abuse prevention laws and policies
on reporting and substantiation rates of child sexual abuse.

MassKids Executive Director Jetta Bernier and Communications Coordinator
Lindsay Hawthorne recently attended the first meeting of the “Research
Practice and Policy Partnership” in Chicago. This group of researchers,
advocates, survivors and practitioners will guide the project’s work and
ensure that research questions and ultimate products of the initiative are
relevant for practice and policy communities.

MassKids is led by an engaged, dedicated Board of Directors that brings to
the organization a range of skills and expertise in human services,
education, law, human resources, accounting, banking, financing and media
and communications.

MassKids’ Nominations Committee is vetting individuals for Governing Board
or Advisory Board consideration. To ensure better and fairer outcomes for
all our children, the Board seeks to add individuals that reflect the
diversity of the

children and communities we serve. Additionally, it seeks to add
survivor/advocates and their allies who have been impacted by childhood
sexual abuse and want to join us in creating transformative social change
to end it.

Interested in exploring this opportunity to make a real difference? Email
your resume and cover letter to [16][email protected].

Donate Online Today

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, but at MassKids, every month is
child abuse prevention month. Help us ensure the right of every child to a
safe childhood free from sexual abuse and exploitation.

[17]Donate today!

Stay connected:

[18]Facebook [19]Twitter [20]Instagram [21]Email Address [22]Website

References

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MassKids
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