addressing the ultimate root cause: child sexual abuse prevention & intervention in georgia...
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Addressing the Ultimate Root Cause: Child Sexual Abuse Prevention &
Intervention in GeorgiaTiffany Sawyer
Director of Prevention Services
Georgia Center for Child Advocacy
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Facts About Child Sexual Abuse
Statistics are shocking 1 in 4 Girls and 1 in 6 Boys will be sexually
abused before the age of 18 The median age of a child who is sexually abuse is
9 years old Most never tell – Only 1 in 10 39 Million survivors of sexual abuse in America
today
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Facts About Child Sexual Abuse
Children are at a higher risk than adults for sexual victimization
Nearly 70% of victims of sexual assault are under the age of 18
1 out of every 7 victims reported to law enforcement is under the age of 6
In roughly 90% of sexual abuse cases the child is familiar with the offender
Offenders intentionally seek out organizations that provide programs to children and adolescents
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Root Cause
Drug and alcohol dependence (70-80%) Teen pregnancy (60% preceded by sexual abuse) and
sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (>90%
have been previously sexually abused) Homelessness (>50% of homeless women sexually
abused) Delinquency and incarceration (60% of women in
prison were sexually abused)
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Economic Impact
The annual direct and immediate costs of child sexual abuse are:
$83.4 million in Georgia
$6.0 million in Fulton County $2.3 million in Chatham County $.3 million in Lumpkin County
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Long-term Economic Impact
The annual long-term costs and losses caused by child sexual abuse are:
$858.8 million in Georgia
$62.1 million in Fulton County $23.5 million in Chatham County $2.7 million in Lumpkin County
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Georgia’s Prevention Initiative
The statewide initiative is led by The Georgia Center for Child Advocacy and emphasizes community and organizational involvement.
Train responsible adults in Georgia to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse using Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children program
Eliminate the opportunity of sexual abuse in organizational environments by creating policies & procedures that will keep children safe while protecting the organization
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Partner Organizations
Schools and Educational Programs Sports and Recreational Leagues Faith Communities Youth Serving Organizations Medical Community Legal Community Higher Education Parent Clubs General Public
Pedophiles seek out places where children are. They take advantage of the taboo nature of the subject, something that no one wants to discuss. They thrive on the silence.
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Tipping Point
Theory that when 5% of a population changes their behavior a cultural shift is created and a momentum builds that, with continued work, will change societal beliefs
Training 5% of a population is referred to as reaching “tipping point”
Our goal throughout the state is to bring the Stewards of Children program to every county and city in Georgia, ultimately training 5% of the adult population in each of these communities.
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As of February 2012…
Nearly 450 facilitators have been trained
Almost 25,000 adults have received training in the Darkness to Light program
Minimizing The Risk of Long Term Harm From
Child Sexual Abuse
Jordan Greenbaum, MD
Stephanie V. Blank Center for Safe and Healthy Children
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
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Short-Term Sequelae of Abuse
Fear, phobias Sleep and eating disturbances Guilt/shame Anger, depression School problems, antiscocial behavior Inappropriate sexual behavior Running away
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Long-Term Adverse Effects
Depression, anxiety, PTSD
Eating disorders and obesity
Poor self-esteem
Problems with sexual function
Revictimization
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More Long-Term Effects
Substance abuse
Suicidal Behavior
Chronic pain
Somatization problems
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High-Risk Behavior
May contribute to• Viral hepatitis• Infertility• Heart disease and stroke• HIV• Diabetes• Cancer/emphysema/bronchitis
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Prevention Is Key, But What About Existing Victims?
Increased awareness and vigilance will increase
number known cases
Victims need medical, mental health assistance
Georgia: Grossly inadequate resources
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Telemedicine
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2009-2010 Pilot
Services provided:• Real-time consultations• Second opinion photo/case
review• Distance-learning lecture series
for community professionals• Monthly peer review for
medical providers
Atlanta
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L
J
6.3.11
Swainsboro
5
Gainesville
Augusta
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How can we make this cheaper?
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Child Advocacy Centers & Telemedicine Sites
1: Scottish Rite, Atlanta2: Synergy Health, Hiawassee3: A Child’s Voice, Loganville4: Sunshine House, Swainsboro5: Power House for Kids, Toccoa6: Sadie’s House, Douglas7: Crescent House/Medical Center of Central Georgia, Macon
A: Firefly House, AlbanyB: Children’s Advocacy Center of Grady County, CairoC: Gwinnett Sexual Assault Center & Children’s Advocacy Center, DuluthD: Appalachian Children’s Center, EllijayE: Child Advocacy Center of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit, Ft. OglethorpeF: Helen’s Haven, HinesvilleG: Children’s Advocacy Center of Troup County, LaGrangeH: Harbor House, RomeI: Satilla Advocacy Services/Satilla Regional Medical Center, WaycrossJ: Children’s Advocacy Center of Lowndes County, ValdostaK: The Gateway Center, CordeleL: The Cottage Children’s Advocacy Center, AthensM: Hero House, MoultrieN: Edmonsdson-Telford Center for Children, GainesvilleO: Coastal Children’s Advocacy Center, SavannahP: Harmony House, RoystonQ: Safe Path CACR: Rainbow Connection CACS: Golden Aisles/St Simmons PediatricsT: The Tree House
Atlanta
Macon
Augusta
Savannah
Gainesville
Columbus
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DE
HN
PL3C1
G
4
K
AAlbany
M
B JValdosta
6
I
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6.3.11
Existing GPT SitesFuture Lync SitesNon-Telemed CAC
Athens
Waycross
Telemedicine Hub
7
Swainsboro
5
S
R
QT
LaGrange
Rome
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Child Advocacy Centers & Telemedicine Sites
1: Scottish Rite, Atlanta2: Synergy Health, Hiawassee3: A Child’s Voice, Loganville4: Sunshine House, Swainsboro5: Power House for Kids, Toccoa6: Sadie’s House, Douglas7: Crescent House/Medical Center of Central Georgia, Macon
A: Firefly House, AlbanyB: Children’s Advocacy Center of Grady County, CairoC: Gwinnett Sexual Assault Center & Children’s Advocacy Center, DuluthD: Appalachian Children’s Center, EllijayE: Child Advocacy Center of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit, Ft. OglethorpeF: Helen’s Haven, HinesvilleG: Children’s Advocacy Center of Troup County, LaGrangeH: Harbor House, RomeI: Satilla Advocacy Services/Satilla Regional Medical Center, WaycrossJ: Children’s Advocacy Center of Lowndes County, ValdostaK: The Gateway Center, CordeleL: The Cottage Children’s Advocacy Center, AthensM: Hero House, MoultrieN: Edmonsdson-Telford Center for Children, GainesvilleO: Coastal Children’s Advocacy Center, SavannahP: Harmony House, RoystonQ: Safe Path CACR: Rainbow Connection CACS: Golden Aisles/St Simmons PediatricsT: The Tree House
Atlanta
Augusta
Columbus
2
DE
HN
PL3C1
G
4
K
A
M
B JValdosta
6
I
F
O
6.3.11
Waycross
7
Swainsboro
5
County served and has interagency agreement with an existing telemedicine-capable CAC
County served and has interagency agreement with a future telemedicine-capable CAC
Athens
7Macon
Savannah
Albany
Rome
LaGrange
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Future Directions
Continue statewide expansion of telemedicine program
Mental Health mentoring/consultation CSEC multidisciplinary teams Psychiatric consultation (evaluation for medication)
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Telemental Health
Mentoring and Consultation• Increase workforce of qualified professionals• Increase skills, expertise of professionals• Increase access to care in rural Georgia• Targets evidence-based practice for treatment of
all types of abuse/neglect• Public/Private partnership• Successful pilot in NE Georgia
Bringing Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Local
Steve Collins
Founder/President, Adults Protecting Children
Regional Coordinator, Georgia Center for Child Advocacy
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Region 2
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What Can You Do Today?
Encourage local organizations to implement Stewards of Children by training staff, volunteers and parents
Work with the surrounding community to promote awareness and prevention of child sexual abuse
Talk to children and adults about child sexual abuse Commit to share what you learned today with at
least three other people. Encourage them to get involved.
Jordan Greenbaum, MDStephanie Blank Center for Safe and Healthy Children
Children’s Healthcare of Atlantajordan.greenbaum@choa.org
404-785-3829
Tiffany SawyerGeorgia Center for Child Advocacy
tiffanys@gacfca.org678-904-2880
Steve CollinsAdults Protecting Children/Georgia Center for Child Advocacy
stevec@gacfca.org 770-789-3879
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