Stop It Now!

CONTACT:

351 Pleasant St., Suite B-319
Northampton, MA 01060
413-587-3500 ext. 8
www.stopitnow.org

Maxine Stein, President

DESCRIPTION:

Stop It Now! is a national program founded in 1992, seeking to prevent childhood sexual abuse. Because most abusers are more powerful individuals whom the children know and trust, relying solely on children to prevent abuse cannot succeed. The only alternative for prevention is to teach adults and communities about the issue, and persuade them to take responsibility for it. But how? The problem is immense — only 12% of childhood rapes are reported, 500,000 cases of abuse occur nationally every year, 25% of girls and 15% of boys are sexually abused, and 40-50% of cases are perpetrated by minors on minors. The problem involves all socio-economic classes, races, and ethnicities. What can be done? First, getting the word out that prevention is a necessary element in all child and family welfare programs; Now! speaks to professional, government and civic groups, providing and disseminating information resources. Second, developing prevention programs for widespread adoption by communities; NOW! has created a Vermont model program involving facilitated public discussions for victims, recovering offenders, and families; and practical workshops for staff of sexual violence programs. This is uphill work; the problem is not solved. But you can support those who are working to solve it.

(2006: HUMAN SERVICES: Children and Youth: General)