Perpetration Prevention: Sex Abuse Prevention Through a Different Lens

Date/Time
Date(s) - 09/08/2023
8:45 am - 12:00 pm

Categories

• Training

Perpetration Prevention: Sex Abuse Prevention Through a Different Lens

Presented by Jenny Coleman, MA, LMHC

September 8, 2023

8:45am -12pm

Preventing child sexual abuse requires multi-dimensional strategies. Perpetration prevention, preventing an act of sexual harm, one of these strategies, recognizes that adults can be accountable for their feelings, sexual interests, and behaviors when they have accurate information, resources, and support – and take necessary actions to get help to stop if they are abusing or are at risk of abusing. For 30 years, Stop It Now! has been immersed in developing messages and resources to reach adults who are sexually abusing children or who are at risk of perpetrating abuse. This presentation will discuss how adopting attitudes that include caring for and compassion for a person with sexual feelings for youth, and who could be at risk to sexually abuse children can increase the likelihood of deterring sexually abusive behaviors. This is not a “soft on offenders” approach, but rather a strategic one that can interrupt lower-level boundary violations before a child is sexually harmed. This is also a hopeful approach, that amplifies the message that child sex abuse is preventable – not inevitable.

Training Goals and Objectives

1. Describe the concept of primary perpetration prevention in the context of child sex abuse, and its importance in breaking the cycle of abuse.
2. Compile a list of barriers that people who want help for unwanted sexual thoughts and feelings about children encounter.
3. Assess personal and societal biases to including people with the potential to cause harm in planning for prevention.
4. Discuss the need to include a trauma informed lens when planning for both sex abuse prevention and response.
5. Explain how using person-first language when referring to people who are at risk of committing or who have committed sex abuse supports a comprehensive prevention.

Bio:

Jenny Coleman, MA, LMHC has been working in child welfare for 30 years; as a clinician, educator, and advocate.  In 2011, she joined Stop It Now! and as their director, she oversees a national child sexual abuse prevention program. She serves as co-chair for the prevention committee for the Association for the Prevention and Treatment of Sexual Abuse (ATSA), and she is a member of the National Coalition to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse, serving as co-chair of the National Plan committee. Her work includes published research on the Stop It Now! Helpline, prevention training in higher education and more recently as a contributing chapter author reviewing the role of Stop It Now! in the sexual abuse prevention field. She presents globally; training individuals and youth serving organizations in primary prevention, and additionally participates as a prevention expert in national discussions with national agencies such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the US Dept. of Justice.

Sex Offenders Civil Commitment Programs Network in conjunction with the NJ Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers.  The Sex Offenders Civil Commitment Programs Network (SOCCPN) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.  SOCCPN maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

REGISTRATION CLOSES 9/7/23 at 5pm

Certificate of attendance available upon request

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