Child Sexual Abuse Prevention
Statewide Initiative
Child sexual abuse is a serious issue that can be prevented. As a society we often wait until after abuse has occurred to take action. Most efforts to stop child sexual abuse involve after -the fact criminal justice interventions that target offenders. The is ample evidence that child sexual abuse can be prevented through education and other evidence informed strategies. MO-NACA is using this evidence to fight child sexual abuse and exploitation through our statewide child prevention initiative.
Explore the options for individuals and organizations to identify and take action to stop harm before it happens.
Prevention is the key to ending child sexual abuse!
Funding provided by Missouri Children’s Trust Fund
Adult Education
Adult education is key to preventing child sexual abuse. With education and training, most abuse can be prevented or interrupted.
School Based Education for Students
Schools are key community partners in preventing child sexual abuse to help young people shape positive and healthy attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that support child sexual abuse prevention. Nurturing these attitudes and behaviors is best achieved by training adults and teaching students skills through a comprehensive sexual abuse prevention education approach.
To support schools in this important role, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) developed guidance materials for child sexual abuse prevention training in collaboration with the Missouri Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children, led by Missouri KidsFirst.
The guidance materials guide schools through an intentional process of preparing for and providing effective sexual abuse prevention education in compliance with Missouri law.(Section 170.045, RSMo)
Missouri law requires that school districts annually provide trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate sexual abuse training, at minimum for grades 6 through 12.
Training Requirements
- Instruction providing students with the knowledge and tools to recognize sexual abuse;
- Instruction providing students with the knowledge and tools to report an incident of sexual abuse;
- Actions that a student who is a victim of sexual abuse could take to obtain assistance and intervention; and
- Available resources for students affected by sexual abuse.
Organizational Safeguarding
Developing and reinforcing comprehensive organizational policies, practices, norms, and beliefs that emphasize youth protection and the primary prevention of child sexual abuse and exploitation create safer environments for children.
MO-NACA’s Awareness to Action Missouri program provides the tools and support needed for organizations protect children!
Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Community Toolkit
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YOU are a Community Champion and can take steps to create safe and healthy families, organizations, and communities where children and youth are protected from child sexual abuse and exploitation.
MO-NACA’s Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Toolkit gives everyone options to get involved!
Step 1 Learn the facts about child sexual abuse and exploitation
Step 2 Identify your spheres of influence
Step 3 Engage with the tools and resources for your sphere(s) of influence.
Step 4 Get curious! Learn about the considerations needed when working with the rich diversity of communities and individual identities in our state
Step 5 Take Action. Use the knowledge from the toolkit and the tools and resources provided to take steps in your sphere(s) of influence to create prevention oriented communities!