Stewards of Children® is an evidence-informed, award-winning 2.5 to 3 hour training that teaches adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. Through interviews with a very diverse group of people with lived experience, experts, and treatment providers, Stewards of Children® teaches adults practical actions they can take to reduce instances of child sexual abuse in their organizations, families, and communities.

Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children® provides actionable behaviors that create prevention-oriented communities. Participants will exit the training being able to engage in conversations about child sexual abuse prevention with other adults and enact prevention policies where children live, learn, and play. They will also be able to recognize and react to boundary violations as well as suspected child abuse and disclosures. Participants will transfer the skills they learn into their communities, helping to embed prevention practices into their communities and help embed prevention practices within their spheres of influence to help proactively prevent child sexual abuse.

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From Bystander to Upstander: Upstanding is key to protecting children from sexual abuse. What is Upstanding? It is prevention in action and involves you as a safe adult, being an upstander. An “upstander” is someone who chooses to act when they see warning signs, boundary violations, or moments where a child may be vulnerable. Intervening or taking preventative measures as an upstander can mean the difference between a child being sexually abused or being protected from abuse. 

• Length: 1 hour

• Investment Details: Let's Discuss

• Format: In person or Virtual Options Available

• Getting Started: Contact Nic by clicking here.

Consent, Healthy Touch, and Boundaries: Understanding boundaries makes us more mindful about how we interact with children. Healthy affection and touch are key in protecting children from sexual abuse, especially when it comes from parents, caregivers, and family members. Building on the foundation laid in Stewards of Children®, Darkness to Light’s evidence-informed training helps you learn guidelines for healthy touch and how to interact with children in safe and respectful ways. I strongly recommend completing Stewards of Children® before taking this course for the best experience and understanding.

• Length: 1 hour

• Investment Details: Let's Discuss

• Format: In person or Virtual Options Available

• Getting Started: Contact Nic by clicking here.

Conversations About Safety from Abuse: Having age-appropriate, open conversations about our bodies, sex, and boundaries is an important step in protecting children. Talking about personal safety and sex creates a protective bond between parent and child, increases confidence for both, and instills knowledge that makes children and teens much less vulnerable. Building on the education provided in Stewards of Children®, Darkness to Light’s evidence-informed training on preventing, recognizing, and reacting responsibly to child sexual abuse, you will learn ways to confidently talk with children and listen to their concerns about sexual abuse and personal safety. It is highly recommended that participants complete Stewards of Children® prior to taking the course. 

• Length: 1 hour

• Investment Details: Let's Discuss

• Format: In person or Virtual Options Available

• Getting Started: Contact Nic by clicking here.

Recognizing and Reporting Harm: Mandated Reporter Definition: (n) individual who holds a professional position that requires him or her to report to the appropriate state agency cases of child abuse that he or she has reasonable cause to suspect. Learn to recognize various forms of child abuse and neglect and understand your responsibilities as a mandated reporter. Laws vary by state, so your duties in Texas may differ from those in California. This training covers definitions and indicators of sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect, while also teaching the legal obligations specific to your state. Building on Stewards of Children®, Darkness to Light’s evidence-informed training, this course is designed for educators but also benefits parents, caregivers, faith center staff, and youth-serving organizations. Participants must complete Stewards of Children® before taking this course.

• Length: 90 Minutes

• Investment Details: Let's Discuss

• Format: In person or Virtual Options Available

• Getting Started: Contact Nic by clicking here.

Preventing Child Sex Trafficking: Child exploitation and sex trafficking is more prevalent than you may realize. Sexual abuse, among other factors, makes children exponentially more vulnerable to exploitation. More than 90% of children who are sex trafficked have been sexually abused in the past. Child sex trafficking, also known as the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC), is any sexual activity involving a child for which something of value is given or promised. Building on the education provided in Stewards of Children®, Darkness to Light’s evidence-informed training on preventing, recognizing, and reacting responsibly to child sexual abuse, this training teaches you about the root cause of commercial sexual exploitation and why preventing sexual abuse is important to reducing the risk of children being sexually trafficked. It is highly recommended that participants complete Stewards of Children® prior to taking the course. 

• Length: 90 Minutes

• Investment Details: Let's Discuss

• Format: In person or Virtual Options Available

• Getting Started: Contact Nic by clicking here.

Not Just In My Head: God Cares About My Anxiety: Anxiety is an inner feeling of apprehension, uneasieness, worry, and dread. It involves both mind and body, and everyone experiences anxiety at times. By the end of this presentation, participants will understand what anxiety is and why it's not sin or weakness, note examples of anxiety in scripture, learn how body, mind, and faith connect, practice coping and faith-based calming skills, know how to care for yourself and others, and discover where to find help and hope.

• Length: 1 hour

• Investment Details: Let's Discuss

• Format: In person or Virtual Options Available

• Getting Started: Contact Nic by clicking here.