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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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

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PL3C1

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4

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6

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Waycross

7

Swainsboro

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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