The Child Advocacy Center received a $5,000 grant to support training and prevention. In 2018, 4,831 individuals received CAC training, including trainings in Darkness to Light: Stewards of Children, and Child Abuse & Neglect 101 and 201. Training also included discussing important topics with children, including boundaries, sex trafficking, how to support a friend by telling a trusted adult and dating violence. This past year, CAC entered into a partnership with the Community Health Endowment of Lincoln to start a training series on resiliency, and more specifically, on overcoming Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
The training is important for educating community members about child abuse and sharing what each person can do to make an impact. A CAC representative shared that “it is not uncommon for someone to disclose past abuse after a presentation.” Often, this is the first time a victim has shared their experience with anyone outside of their close family or with anyone at all.
The representative shared a recent experience of a presentation to a local community group. The planned one-hour presentation of basic information ended up lasting three hours. Many community members disclosed past abuse they, or their children, suffered.
“There was nothing like the Child Advocacy Center when it happened to me,” recounted one community member. “I’m so glad families can now get support.”
CAC continues to carry out this important work and is thankful for the support of Strive to Thrive Lincoln.