During the 2014 General Session of the Utah Legislature a bill was passed mandating all schools to provide training and instruction on child sexual abuse prevention and awareness to school personnel in elementary and secondary schools and to parents or guardians of elementary school students. The bill is now part of Utah Code and can be found in UCA 53A-13-112. Also, in 1999, Utah’s “Duty to Report” law was put into effect requiring all Utah citizens, age 18 and older, to report suspected child abuse and neglect.
To be compliant, Legacy Preparatory Academy is sending the following information to train and instruct parents or guardians on child sexual abuse prevention and awareness. Any parent who would like to discuss this information further may contact the appropriate school director for additional training.
Prevent Child Abuse Utah has developed a wonderful website with detailed information. We are asking all parents to please visit this website, www.pcautah.org and familiarize themselves with the signs of child abuse. They have included a 40-minute online parent course titled, “Preventing Child Sexual Abuse: Online Parent Course.” https://training.pcautah.org/login/pcau/ For parents who are interested there is also a training course for secondary students.
Child abuse in Utah is three times the national average, with 1 in 5 Utah kids being sexually abused before 18. In 90% of the cases, the abuse is by someone the child knows or trusts, not by a stranger. Most children do not report sexual abuse. In fact, 88% of adults who were sexually abused as children stated they never reported the abuse. It is estimated that only 1 in 10 victims will report abuse. In Utah, both boys and girls are sexually abused almost equally. Statistics indicate that 54% of reported child sexual abuse victims are girls and 46% are boys.
Many myths exist about child sexual abuse. Social acceptance of myths silences victims and encourages public denial about the true nature of this silent epidemic. Accurate information is key when confronting and preventing child abuse.
- Myth: He looks normal and acts normal, so he can’t be a child molester.
- Myth: Only men sexually abuse children.
- Myth: Child molesters target any and all children nearby.
- Myth: Abused children always tell! (My kids know they’re supposed to tell!)
- Myth: The victim is always a girl.
- Myth: Child victims of sexual abuse will have physical signs of the abuse.
- Myth: Stranger Danger
- Myth: Sexual victimization as a child will inevitably result in the child growing up to become a sex offender.
- Myth: Child sexual abuse is a cultural or socioeconomic problem.
You can be the ONE to effect change. Know the signs. Know the truth. Be ONE with courage.
We strongly encourage all parents to learn the signs of child abuse and further educate their own children.
**All information was obtained from www.pcautah.org
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