The Indiana Township Association (ITA) will host youth serving staff at their monthly lunch and learn as part of their No More Secrets public awareness campaign to raise awareness about child sexual abuse on March 12 at the Delaware Township Office.
Registration for youth summer camps has opened and organizations are being proactive in making sure their staff are informed about child sexual abuse prevention. Fishers Parks & Recreation, Fishers YMCA, Youth Mentoring Initiative and Indiana University Upward Bound are among the organizations that will be present at the prevention training to learn about managing disclosures, reporting suspected child sexual abuse, implementing prevention strategies, and accessing local resources.
State regulations for Indiana currently do not require staff at day or overnight camps to pass a criminal background check. In 2018, the Department of Child Services reports having received 18,760 reports of suspected child sexual abuse in the state of Indiana. Project Manager, Chris Kelly stated, “For some kids, summer camp can be a fun memorable experience but for victims of child sexual abuse, camp can be a dreadful experience where abuse occurs or where it is relived. It is important for camp staff to be informed and prepared on how to handle child sexual abuse related concerns and that is what our training seeks to do.”
For inquiries contact Chris Kelly, Project Manager with Indiana Township Association, by phone at 240-678-2606 or by email at ckelly@indianatownshipassoc.org.
About the Indiana Township Association, Inc.
The Indiana Township Association, Inc. is a statewide, nonprofit organization comprised of 1,005 township trustees who provide essential services to residents and businesses in need in their township. For additional information, visit indianatownshipassoc.org.