Child Rescue Coalition, Inc.’s Post

February marks Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the prevalence and impact of dating violence among teenagers. It's a sobering reminder that many young individuals face abusive behaviors in their relationships, which can have long-lasting effects on their well-being. Dating violence among teens can take many forms, including physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, and digital abuse. It's a pervasive issue that affects individuals from all backgrounds and walks of life. This month serves as an opportunity to educate ourselves and others about the warning signs of abusive relationships and the resources available for those in need. By fostering open conversations, providing support, and promoting healthy relationship behaviors, we can empower teens to recognize their worth and seek help if they find themselves in abusive situations. Together, let's work towards creating a safer and more respectful environment for all young individuals to thrive in their relationships.

February marks Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, shedding light on the prevalence of abusive relationships among adolescents. Remember, 'Love is not abuse.' Let's empower teens to recognize the signs of unhealthy relationships and promote love built on respect and mutual support. Register for GCAPP's training on 2/19 to learn the signs and prevent your youth from this epidemic. Our expert facilitators will help you navigate these crucial conversations and equip you with the tools to support and protect the young people in your life. Don't wait until it's too late. Together, let's break the cycle of teen dating violence and foster healthy relationships for our youth. Scan the QR code or Register now at: https://lnkd.in/eqjbnqej

Making contact with strangers online is easier than ever with messenger apps and social media becoming gateways to discussions with just about anyone. This is particularly dangerous for children, who may become targets of grooming, according to this blog from Avast.     This means that while you’re going about your day, your child could be falling into dangerous communications with adults without your supervision or knowledge.     To help prevent them from becoming victim to online grooming, be sure to supervise your children under 13 while online, speak openly about their online safety over the course of their childhood, ask them about their life online every day, and work on their critical thinking skills by teaching them to ask questions about their online behavior. https://lnkd.in/egAWfJR7

Sextortion: A Growing Digital Threat Sextortion is increasingly prevalent in our digital age. It involves threatening to expose someone's intimate images to coerce compliance with demands, often sexual or financial. This issue affects people across age groups and demographics. It can happen in a matter of minutes and the consequences can be devastating What is Sextortion? Sextortion, a blend of "sex" and "extortion," involves leveraging someone's sensitive images to force them into submission. It’s grooming and may well lead to violence, threats to the young person, their family and friend and to county line and other criminal or sexual exploitation and other forms of Modern Slavery Why is it a Concern? Our digital connectivity has brought new opportunities for abuse. Sharing personal information online is risky, especially in the wrong hands. Frequency and Urgency Sextortion is rising, highlighting the urgent need for online safety awareness. Stay Safe Online Be cautious about sharing intimate images. Once shared, you lose control over them. What Can We Do? Education and awareness are essential. Learn about sextortion and the importance of online privacy. If you or someone you know is a victim, seek help. Make sure kids have someone they know to turn to as soon as there is any threat. This can be a parent or teacher, a sports coach or a family friend- anyone they (and you) trust to speak to. Together, we can create a safer digital environment by staying vigilant, empowering our kids and supporting each other. If you want to find out a little more about grooming and modern slavery check out our videos https://lnkd.in/ewK_CHfB https://lnkd.in/eMrz3HhE #safeguarding #sexualabuse #safeguardingchildren #childprotection #sexualexplotiation #childcrimjnalexolotation #schools #schoolleadership #schoolleaders #headteachers #onlinebuse #moderndayslavery

Silent but prevalent, teen dating violence often eludes our attention. Behind the facade of youthful relationships, a disturbing reality unfolds. Emotional, physical, or verbal abuse silently invades the lives of adolescents. Ignorance isn't bliss; it perpetuates the cycle. It's time to shed light on the shadows, fostering awareness and empathy. Let's break the silence surrounding teen dating violence, offering support and understanding. Every conversation matters, every intervention counts. Together, let's create a safe space for teens to voice their struggles, ensuring that their relationships are founded on respect and empathy. #teens #violence #awareness

Do you know about online safety? Ali Baird and I are talking with Lawrence Jordan from the Marie Collins Foundation about online grooming and exploitation. Some facts and figures for you: USA reporting of Child Abuse material in 2022 32 million reported cases. Childline has seen an 87% increase in reporting. It can take an individual to groom someone 19 secs - 45 mins A high-risk perpetrator said that he would know in 3 minutes whether he was going to have sex (his words) with a child. What can you do to help keep your loved ones safe? Asking how they are doing at school, friends and how are things going online. Notice changes in the child's behaviour. Use topics that may come up in the news or what is going on in EastEnders etc. and ask what the child thinks about it. When a child does disclose avoid asking "Why did..." it shuts down the conversation as it comes across as accusing. There is a lot of shame, guilt and embarrassment around being targeted and having images taken time and allow time for that discussion. Here are some useful links for you to share: Revenge porn helpline - https://lnkd.in/exDwuaHm Stop it now - https://lnkd.in/eTt8Ee2g Stop SO - https://stopso.org.uk/ Report Remove - https://lnkd.in/e2WKMRRA Marie Collins Foundation - https://lnkd.in/eRdahnxx Lucy Faithfull Foundation https://lnkd.in/e4DBcrwX This can happen to children as well as adults. For any training and advice please do reach out to the Marie Collins Foundation. Links to the podcast are in the comment section. #whatmakesthedifference #grooming #onlinesafety #exploitation #childprotection #awarenessmatters

Abusive relationships can, and do, effect people of all different ages. For teens, however, relationships can feel especially confusing and hurtful as a young survivor may not know how to ask for help or who to talk to when their relationship becomes toxic. For #TeenDatingViolenceAwarenessMonth, Shelterhouse wants to highlight some of the ways that dating violence occurs during teen relationships. Social media and technology continue to play an active role in the way that perpetrators control, harass, and abuse teens, and it's important to remember that all of these red-flag behaviors can occur both in-person and online. Check out this list of common abusive behaviors that are often seen in teen relationships - do you notice these behaviors in your own relationship, or in the relationship of someone you know? You are not alone and help is here for you. Call: 877.216.6383 or Text: 989.200.5122 #shelterhousegladwin #domesticviolence #domesticabuse #sexualassault #sexualviolence #shelterhouse #shelterhousemidland #teendatingviolence #tdv

Heartbreaking headline, but one we know to be true. Alcalaw has worked with families in a panic because their child has found themselves in a compromising situation online. How do we stop the picture from spreading? Do we report to law enforcement? How can I find a mental health practitioner to help my child process this? We help answer these questions. #childsafety #cybersafety Margaret Gandy Rena P.

Do you know about online safety? Ali Baird and Richard Hilton are talking with Lawrence Jordan from the Marie Collins Foundation about online grooming and exploitation. Some facts and figures for you: USA reporting of Child Abuse material in 2022 32 million reported cases. Childline has seen an 87% increase in reporting. It can take an individual to groom someone 19 secs - 45 mins A high-risk perpetrator said that he would know in 3 minutes whether he was going to have sex (his words) with a child. What can you do to help keep your loved ones safe? Asking how they are doing at school, friends and how are things going online. Notice changes in the child's behaviour. Use topics that may come up in the news or what is going on in EastEnders etc. and ask what the child thinks about it. When a child does disclose avoid asking "Why did..." it shuts down the conversation as it comes across as accusing. There is a lot of shame, guilt and embarrassment around being targeted and having images taken time and allow time for that discussion. Here are some useful links for you to share: Revenge porn helpline - https://lnkd.in/exDwuaHm Stop it now - https://lnkd.in/eTt8Ee2g Stop SO - https://stopso.org.uk/ Report Remove - https://lnkd.in/e2WKMRRA Marie Collins Foundation - https://lnkd.in/eRdahnxx Lucy Faithfull Foundation https://lnkd.in/e4DBcrwX This can happen to children as well as adults. For any training and advice please do reach out to the Marie Collins Foundation. Links to the podcast are in the comment section. #whatmakesthedifference #onlinesafety #childprotection #awarenessmatters #familycare #lovedones

Whether a teacher, parent or counselor, connecting with teens in any capacity means acknowledging the world teens navigate every day. Knowing that most young people will experience some form of harassment or cyber bullying, and that many experience dating violence, can leave us disheartened and fearful. Since the forces (like pornography and social media) that are the most toxic influences are vast and beyond our reach, it can be easy to blame ourselves. In being an ally for teens, we must guard against self blame and guilt. Whatever self care is needed, whatever personal support we can give ourselves is crucial. Staying awake to the impact these negative forces has on teens means carrying a burden. Keeping up with our self care lightens the load, and sets an example for young people: the relationship we have with ourselves is the most important one of all. #teenmentalhealth #tdvam #community #highschoolstudents