Baltimore Child Abuse CenterMAY 2019 NEWSLETTER:
SUMMER SAFETY
Summer SafetyDear Friends, Summer is all about fun, freedom, and sunny days—but also about making sure your child is safe when in the care or company of others, including babysitters, camp counselors, extended family, and friends. Now is the time to talk to your children about anything that makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe, review your family safety plan, and teach them about body safety and maintaining their personal boundaries. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if no child ever had a reason to come through our doors? We certainly think so. Which is why, at BCAC, we focus not only on responding to abuse but also on preventing it. One of the things I’m most proud of is BCAC’s training and prevention initiatives across a diverse range of community groups, including churches, synagogues, camps, schools,
and other community organizations. Since developing our program in 2013, we have trained over 31,500 people and impacted over 134,000 children. Every year, through all of these partnerships, we are able to train and impact more than 39,000 people. It is on us, as adults, to keep our kids safe this summer. Ask organizations and anyone who spends time with your children whether they have received the necessary training to recognize the warning signs of abuse. If you work for an organization in need of training, or if you work with children in any capacity, contact our community outreach and education team to make sure that you and your colleagues are trained in the ways to prevent, recognize, and handle child abuse. There is no such thing as too much awareness or training. We’re here to help! Best wishes for a safe and healthy start to warm weather fun,
Adam Rosenberg, Executive Director
Our 6th Annual Be A Hero event on May 10 raised $284,000 and counting! This funding is crucial so that we can continue to offer a safe, trauma-informed, and child-centered space for children and families to begin the recovery and healing process, and to get the services and support they need. Thank you so much to everyone who came out to support our work and our community heroes. Check out photos from the event here! In the words of Aly, “This is something that is important to talk about.
When I was younger and being abused, I didn’t realize it was sexual abuse. I was always warned about ‘stranger danger,’ but it’s not always a creepy man who is the abuser. It can really be anyone, and we need to change the dialogue. It didn’t occur to me at the time that someone I trusted could be hurting me.” Be A Hero Co-Chair Mandee Heinl put it best: "This is not a problem that impacts one demographic or another. This impacts everyone." (Read more here.)
BCAC Volunteer Day: Saturday, June 29!
Keep Kids Safe This SummerBy Alison D'AlessandroSummer is around the corner and it is a wonderful time for children to play, explore, and just be kids. Children will be visiting extended family, going to their friends’ houses, swimming at the pool, playing at the playground, and doing many other fun and exciting things. With the change in routine and being around more people, it is important to remember some basic tips to keep your children safe. Talk about Body Safety
Teaching children the proper names for their private body parts will help them communicate with you if they should ever have a question related to illness, hygiene or abuse. Talking with children calmly and matter-of-factly about body parts demonstrates that these parts are good and special and that you as the parent feel comfortable talking about these parts. The most natural time to teach children this language is when they are toddlers and are learning the names for the other parts of their bodies. Teach and Model Healthy Relationships
Teach and model characteristics of healthy relationships including empathy, expressed feelings, equality, fairness, respect, and boundaries. When children learn what is healthy, they are more likely to recognize and question unhealthy behaviors. Encourage your child to come to you and other helpful, healthy adults with questions about bodies and touch. Also, review your family’s values and rules for both at home and when you are not around. It is important to know that most abuse is at the hands of someone who has gained the trust of a victim and their family and is someone the child know, loves, or trusts. It is critical that children have a strong understanding of healthy relationships. Also, children must be empowered to listen to their instincts.
Supplies: Art canvases, glitter, sequins, food coloring, washable paint, clear Elmer's glue, foam door hangers/foam stickers/colorful felt, birthday gifts for all ages, activities/games for teenagers, summer clothes for ages 8-10+, pajamas in all sizes, ribbons, sand art, shampoo and conditioner (full sized bottles), small travel sized toys for ages 8+, anything on our Amazon Wish List. Meal sponsor: Provide a kid-friendly dinner for one of our support groups! To make a donation, contact
Nicole at nreed@bcaci.org or 443-872-2114.
BCAC is a nonprofit subsidiary of LifeBridge Health
|