On a Serious Note...

Did you know that April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month?  As some of you are aware, in my other life I am a therapist.  A specialty in my practice, the bulk of my professional experience, and quite frankly my passion and mission in my life, is the treatment of survivors of childhood sexual abuse, both children and adults.  The deep and far-reaching effects of any abuse on an individual, but particularly that of a sexual nature, continues to shake me to the core on a regular basis, even after years of hearing the worst of the worst.  Even as I believe our society is moving toward a greater awareness of both the prevalence and effects of sexual abuse, both are still minimized.  It is certainly something we do not LIKE to think about, but as long as it is continuing to occur, we must face that it is a reality of our world--a reality we cannot afford to ignore.  Our children are at stake.

I am a big supporter of the organization Darkness to Light.  Have you heard of them?  They are based here in Charleston, but have been rather successful the last few years in gaining attention at a national and even international level.  There are many organizations aimed at increasing awareness and working to help treat and prevent childhood abuse, and I am grateful that there are.  I support Darkness to Light in particular for many reasons.  First of all, they are committed to bringing "to light" and giving due attention to a problem that people do not want to talk about, would rather keep secret and in the dark.  The organization's philosophy is that increasing attention and awareness to the problem is the best route to diminishing it.  Second, they charge us all to be keepers of our children and responsible for helping ensure their safety.  I am a believer in the "it takes a village" mindset and that we are all as adults responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of all the children around us, not just that of our own.

The mission of Darkness to Light is to inform, inform, inform.  But not just to provide resources that people can access--they are committed to in-the-trenches measures to spread the word and educate caretakers (be they teachers, parents, neighbors, coaches, etc.) about the traumatic effects of childhood sexual abuse as well as, and most importantly, how to be keen observers and aware of signs and situations to be alert to in order to keep our children protected.  The chief ongoing mission of Darkness to Light is the training of individuals in a community who then train other groups throughout our communities, schools, churches, youth groups, sports organizations, and any other situations where adults may come in contact with children on a regular basis...who then train others in their communities (both informally and potentially formally), and so on.

So, on that note, I will be donating a portion of every purchase from The Smockling throughout the month of April to Darkness to Light and their ongoing efforts to educate us all and eradicate childhood sexual abuse.  This will include any orders that have already been placed this month!!

Please visit their website, and I encourage you to "Join the Movement."  No financial obligation is required.
http://www.d2l.org/site/c.4dICIJOkGcISE/b.6612979/k.DAEB/Join_the_Movement_to_End_Child_Sexual_Abuse_CSA/apps/ka/ct/contactus.asp?c=4dICIJOkGcISE&b=6612979&en=etKMJXNKJcJQI3PDLjJWKaOSKjJULaMRKlI3IiP2G

Furthermore, please take the time to watch the video on the website, Childhood Stories Documentary. 

It is so moving and eye-opening. Beware, it is powerful, real, and the victims do not mince word about the specifics of their abuse. However, if you choose not to watch it because you don't think you can handle that, just think about how that child felt who HAD to handle it actually happening to them, usually repeatedly. 
http://www.d2l.org/site/c.4dICIJOkGcISE/b.6300229/k.43F8/Childhood_Stories_Documentary.htm

Thank you for indulging me.