A Child Advocate's Blog

Sex-Wise Parents can raise sexually safer and healthier kids! Reposted from the Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM,) Blog, original post found here:  Sex-Wise Parents can raise sexually safer and healthier kids! | National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) This week the Talk Early, Talk Often series continues on the SAAM Blog with a guest post from author and expert Dr. Janet Rosenzweig. Join us on Tueday, April 2 for a twitter chat hosted by @JanetRosenzweig on child sexual abuse prevention. Use the hashtag #TweetAboutIt to participate.  Parents are the strongest influence on their children's decisions about sex and sexuality, yet most parents underestimate their own power. A major national survey reported in 2010 that 46 percent of teens continue to say that parents most influence their decisions about sex, while just 20 percent say friends most influence their decisions. At the same time, parents overestimate the influence media and friends have on thei...

Unclear if state mandated reporter law applies to former Brooks headmaster January 11, 2013 By Douglas Moser dmoser@eagletribune.com Unclear if state mandated reporter law applies to former Brooks headmaster NORTH ANDOVER — The relationship Brooks School disclosed last week involving its former headmaster and a one-time student was not reported to state children’s services authorities, and it is unclear whether a report was required under state law with the information made public so far. Massachusetts requires a range of professionals who work with or near children, including school officials, to report suspicions or evidence of neglect or physical or sexual abuse to the state Department of Families and Children or face a fine. Brooks disclosed in a letter to alumni on Jan. 3 that former headmaster Lawrence W. Becker had an inappropriate relationship with a student at some point during his tenure. A school spokeswoman said the relationship occurred while publisher Steve For...

We Can Make It Right. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CHICAGO, IL, January 14, 2013 – Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett recently launched a lawsuit against the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) seeking to have all of the NCAA penalties against Penn State’s football program thrown out. These sanctions brought about by the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse case include a $60 million fine which is to be used for funding child sexual abuse prevention and treatment programming. The lawsuit represents an about face in terms of Governor Corbett’s public position on the sanctions. This past July he was quoted as saying, “We must repair the damage to this university. Part of that corrective process is to accept the serious penalties imposed by the NCAA on Penn State University and its football program.” The temptation is to ask why Governor Corbett has chosen to do this, or even seek to answer that question ourselves. But asking why or trying to discern the impetus for this dec...

Prep school head failed to report impropriety; Headmaster allegations at first unknown to authorities AP Steve Forbes served as president of the brooks School’s board of trustess at the time in question. (AP) January 4, 2013 Peter Schworn   The Boston Globe Former headmaster of Brooks School...                 Despite knowing that the headmaster of Brooks School had ­engaged in an improper relationship with a student, publishing executive Steve Forbes, president of the college preparatory school’s board of trustees at the time, did not report the incident to authorities, the school said Friday.   Forbes, an alumnus who served as board president from 1987 to 1997, took steps to address the matter but did not discipline the headmaster, Lawrence W. Becker, or report the ­alleged relationship to the full board, ...

This article, published in Lehigh Valley Live, highlights the efforts of officials and organizations in Warren County, NJ to prevent child sexual abuse.  Warren County is one of three counties in New Jersey to adopt the Enough Abuse Campaign (Referred to here as the "Enough Abuse" Program).  Rush Russell, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse - New Jersey makes an important point when he points out that there aren't many child sexual abuse prevention programs designed to highlight adult responsibility - it is a different mindset where the responsibility for preventing sexually abusive behaviors is not solely that of the children targeted by abusers. Rather, our program gives parents and other 'stakeholder' adults education on this issue and training on steps they can take - from specific messages and talking points for their kids to recognizing warning signs in abusers and victims. Warren County has 'secret problem' with child abuse, official says...

December 13, 2012 -- 12 AM EST MassKids, 14 Beacon Street, Suite 706, Boston Contact: Jetta Bernier, Executive Director jetta@masskids.org 617-742-8555 ext.2 617-827-5218 (cell) PRESS RELEASE Infant/toddler Sex Abuse Case Prompts Advocates to Press for  Statute of Limitations (SOL) Reform Before Year-End Deadline Push for Expansion of Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Campaign December 13, 2012, BOSTON, MA – Child advocates today urged legislators to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of a bill that would reform the state’s current Statute of Limitations in cases of child sexual abuse. “The public’s response to the sexual abuse of 13 infants and toddlers by Level 1 sex offender John Burbine has been very strong” said Jetta Bernier, director of MassKids, a statewide non-profit child abuse prevention group. “People are upset and want solutions to prevent these heinous crimes from happening. One way the public can channel this outrage...

On everyone who comes into contact with their child. Watch this interview by Fox 25 News of MassKids Executive Director Jetta Bernier about important information that parents need to know about protecting their children from child sexual abuse. Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston