LAUSD is promoting a program to teach parents how to recognize the signs of child sexual abuse:

Its title is “Darkness to Light.”  This nationally known program is designed to teach parents how to protect their children and reduce child sexual abuse.  The threat is significant.  National Statistics indicate that one in four girls and one in six boys will be victims by the time they are 18 years old.  The abusers are mostly family members or friends.  District officials requested comprehensive training for parents, and “Darkness to Light” workshops have begun.  

“It’s meant for parents, not for teachers or administrators,” explains facilitator Lori Vollandt.  “We are training parents to share this program at their local schools.”  They learn how to diminish child sexual abuse by always being mindful or where and with whom your child goes.  “The family friend who volunteers to help your child with homework at his house, a friendly clergyman who invites a child to drop by the church, a relative who seems really into children, the signals are there when you know how to look for them.,” explains Ms. Vollandt.  “This program is not therapy (www.lasexualabusetherapist.com); parents don’t talk about their experiences (www.losangelescouplescounseling.com).  It’s about learning to be intensely cautious, not paranoid, but cautious.”

“Darkness to Light” is one piece in the puzzle of preventing child abuse.  “Parents need to know how to talk about this with each other and especially with their children and family members,”  adds Ms. Vollandt.  She says LAUSD hopes to build the capacity of its own experts by training as many people as possible at Parent Centers, PTA workshops, and campus meetings.  

For information about bringing “Darkness to Light” training to your school, please call Lori Vollandt at 818-398-6946.*

For help with this issue contact:

Roni Weisberg- Ross  L.M.F.T.
310- 479-9798  ext. 10#
roni@roniweisbergross.com
www.roniweisbergross.com
Westside LA therapist



*Reprinted from the Winter 2009 Newsletter for LAUSD Parents.