Did You Know?

1. Sexual Abuse is in our community.
   
   
2. 93% of sexual assault is committed by someone the victim knows.
   
   
3. 77% are committed by friends, childcare providers/babysitters, neighbors, and even family members.
   
   
4. Children are hurting children!!!! 23% of reported cases are perpetrated by individuals under the age of 18.
   
   
5. Less than 10% of child sexual abuse is reported to police. 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused before age 18.
   
   
6. 1 in 7 youth internet users receive unwanted sexual solicitations.
   
   
7. It is important that we NOT only recognize the PAIN children feel, but also the long term effects child abuse has on our ENTIRE COMMUNITY!!
   
   
8. 80-90% of adults serving time in our prisons and jails report being abused as children.
   
   
9. CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE. WE NEED TO PROTECT THEM!
   
   
10. Lack of awareness and denial in our society results in our children being victims.

Local families are joining together to raise community awareness on sexual abuse happening in our community.

Our GOAL Our MISSION:

• To help and protect as many children as possible by BREAKING SILENCE.
  
  
• To change laws to protect victims of sexual abuse.
  
  The laws that need to change are:
  
1. The age at which sexual offender are held liable.
   
   

2. The requirement that victims as young as three must testify in-person before the perpetrator.

3. The length of time between filing of charges and trial that allows perpetrators to continue offending.

Invitation for COMMUNITY ACTION:

Facility Being Used:  Hope Christian Church

                               9273 Coach Stop Road

                               Columbia, IL  62236

                    When:  December 4th, 2014, at 7:00pm

       What to expect:  Testimonies of Child Abuse

                                 Awareness and Statistics

                                 Opportunity to sign a Petition to Change Laws

     Unity thru Prayer:  Praying for all those who are going thru child abuse and who                                 are healing from it.

OUR PRAYER

God, we pray you help us fill the community with wisdom, respect and love as we reach out to them for support. We pray for all families and children affected by this abuse. We pray for healing and restoration. May we all lean on You, walk in faith, and praise You through the tough times. May our community bring you glory.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.