Stop It Now! Campaign in Virginia

Stop It Now! Campaign in Virginia
Stop It Now! Campaign Child Sexual Abuse in Virginia 1 in 4 women and 1 in 5 men have been a victim of child sexual assault Over half of women experienced sexual assault before the age of 13, as did 39% of men 71% of assaults against children were perpetrated by adults Almost half of the perpetrators were identified as family members Only 10% of perpetrators were strangers About the Virginia Stop It Now! Campaign In response to an objective of Sexual Violence State Plan for Virginia, a steering committee worked with VDH to decide how to implement a helpline service in Virginia. The committee then worked with a marketing firm to develop a campaign message to promote the helpline in Virginia. Stop It Now! Billboard

Billboard's are posted in the Richmond area. Click Here to see the billboard larger. Stop It Now! Posters Click here to see the poster Stop It Now! Radio Spots Public Service Announcements will be aired on radio stations in the Richmond area. About the Stop It Now! Helpline The Stop It Now! Helpline was established in 1995 as a toll-free resource for individuals with questions or concerns about child sexual abuse. The helpline is available for anyone concerned about sexually inappropriate behaviors in another adult, adolescent or child or in themselves. Professional staff provide an opportunity for you or any concerned caller to gather information, talk through a situation and explore options for taking action. All calls are confidential. The helpline is available Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM at 1-888-PREVENT (1-888-773-8368). Professionals working in the field of child sexual abuse prevention will answer your call. The person on the other end of the line will help you: Know what to watch and listen for between an adult and child if abuse is happening. Know the warning signs that a child has been abused. Learn the signs to recognize in an adult if they are or are considering abusing a child. Understand how to talk with someone you know who may be sexually inappropriate with a child. Find out the difference between healthy sexual development in children and sexually abusive behaviors. Talk about what you may be witnessing and help you decide if you are "over-reacting" to a situation and what may be your next step. Talk you through your next step if you are thinking about touching a child in a sexual way. Learn what kinds of help and treatment are available. Get referrals to resources so that everyone in the abusing situation can get the help they need. The Stop It Now! Helpline is designed for adults concerned about the inappropriate sexual behavior of someone around them and those at risk to perpetrate sexual violence. To report a suspected case of child sexual abuse, please call Child Protective Services Hotline at 800-552-7096. The Virginia Family Violence and Sexual Assault Hotline 800-838-8238 is still the best resource for victims. Click here for Helpline Flyer Click here for Facts About Abuse Brochure Warning Signs For An Adult With Sexual Behavior ProblemsSomeone you love may be acting in sexual ways that worry or confuse you. These behaviors may be a way for the person to ask for help. Many people with sexual behavior problems wish that someone had asked them what was going on. They wish they had known where to call and how to get help. Do you know someone who: Often has a "special" child friend, maybe a different one from year to year? Spends most spare time on activities involving children or teens, rather than other adults? Does not have any close adult friends? Makes fun of a child's body parts, calls a child sexual names such as "stud," "whore," or "slut"? Talks again and again about the sexual activities of children or teens? Talks about sexual fantasies with children and is not clear about what's okay with children? Was exposed to violence, pornography, or sexual behaviors as a child and has not dealt with it in any way? Masturbates so much that it begins to get in the way of important day-today activities? Downloads pornography off the Internet and is not willing to show it because children are involved? Any one of these signs does not mean that a child is in danger. But if you see a few of these signs in someone you know, begin to ask questions. If you need help with how to approach the person or any other support, please call the Stop It Now! Toll-Free Helpline at 1-888-PREVENT. Behavioral Warning Signs A Child May Have Been Abused Some of these behavioral signs can show up at other stressful times in a child's life such as divorce, the death of a family member, friend or pet, or when there are problems in school, as well as when abuse is involved. Any one sign doesn't mean the child was abused, but several of them mean that you should begin asking questions. Do you notice some of the following behaviors in children you know well? Nightmares, trouble sleeping, fear of the dark, or other sleeping problems. Extreme fear of "monsters." "Spacing out" at odd times. Loss of appetite, or trouble eating or swallowing. Sudden mood swings: rage, fear, anger, or withdrawal. Fear of certain people or places (e.g., a child may not want to be left alone with a baby-sitter, a friend, a relative, or some other child or adult; or a child who is usually talkative and cheery may become quiet and distant when around a certain person). Stomach illness all of the time with no identifiable reason. An older child behaving like a younger child, such as bed-wetting or thumbsucking. Sexual activities with toys or other children, such as simulating sex with dolls or asking other children/siblings to behave sexually. New words for private body parts. Refusing to talk about a "secret" he/she has with an adult or older child. Talking about a new older friend. Suddenly having money. Cutting or burning herself or himself as an adolescent. Additional Information: Websites Stop It Now! Web page at www.stopitnow.org Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance at www.vsdvalliance.org Virginia Department of Social Services at www.dss.virginia.gov/family/cps VDH sexual violence prevention information at www.vahealth.org/civp/sexualviolence Hotlines Stop It Now! Helpline 888-773-8368 Virginia Family Violence and Sexual Assault Hotline 800-838-8238 Child Protective Services Hotline at 800-552-7096 Virginia Department of Health Rebecca K. Odor, Director of Sexual & Domestic Violence Prevention 804-864-7740 Virginia Department of Health Also posted in the Virginia State Topic. Originally Posted by Gaia

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