At a time when disclosures of sexual abuse and harassment are becoming mainstream, child sexual abuse still lives in secrecy and shame. Through a new national campaign the SHINE Campaign we at River Bridge Regional Center are changing the conversation around child sexual abuse.
In our state alone, 434,532 adult survivors live with the consequences every day. But the stories of our survivors don’t end there. River Bridge Regional Center is joining a national movement called the SHINE Campaign. Starting with our nation’s 882 CACs and 50 state Chapters, we’ll be sharing the stories of survivors and their friends and loved ones not stories of trauma, but of hope for a better future. Our partners in law enforcement, mental health, medicine, prosecution, child welfare, and many other fields that serve kids are gathering with us. And yet, it’s ordinary people who will illuminate this universe of support we’re building. SHINE has already reached tens of thousands through stories on our Facebook and Instagram accounts and we’re just getting started.
More than 25 million adult survivors live in this country. Alone, their experiences are in the shadows single stars in the darkness. Yet as each of us lets our light shine, we form constellations, galaxies, and a universe of support for one another. The conversations help increase visibility of survivors for those who have not yet sought support and for children who don’t know who might be safe to turn to.
More than 25 million adult survivors live in this country. Alone, their experiences are in the shadows single stars in the darkness. Yet as each of us lets our light shine, we form constellations, galaxies, and a universe of support for one another. The conversations help increase visibility of survivors for those who have not yet sought support and for children who don’t know who might be safe to turn to.
Locally, River Bridge Regional Center has provided services to over 1,800 children and 2,700 of their family members. The work of CACs and the support of our partners, volunteers, and donors is not just symbolic; it has a real impact on both preventing and responding to child abuse.
Yet we could serve so many more children, and provide them with more of the healing resources they need, if these real, important, and hopeful conversations happened everywhere. Child abuse happens in homes, churches, and schools. It happens in sports facilities, camps, and so many other places around our communities that should be where happy childhood memories are made. These conversations can be uncomfortable, can cause rifts in families and communities, and can bring up terrible memories. But they can create a force even more powerful than pain: healing.
In honor of the 434,532 adult survivors in Colorado, in ensuring healing and justice for the children we serve each year, and in defense of the children whose abuse we may yet prevent, we ask you to join us. Whether you’re a survivor, a friend or family member of one, an advocate, or just someone who wants to show their support, we need you as a part of this work. Make a pledge to SHINE for River Bridge by following this link.
To prevent child abuse and heal its damage, it’s time to listen. It’s time to talk, it’s time to SHINE.
SHINE is a national campaign presented by the National Children’ s Alliance to transform the conversation about child sexual abuse. For too many, childhood is where the trauma starts. But survivors need to know they are not alone—their light connects to other lights in a universe of support. It’s time for us to be a light that survivors can turn to.
English