The Mama Bear Effect launches Pediatric Kits for child sexual abuse prevention education
Pediatric Kits supporting the education of medical professionals, parents, and children on child sexual abuse prevention have been launched by The Mama Bear Effect.
The Mama Bear Effect charitable organization has launched free Pediatric Kits for medical centers and pediatricians to support the education of medical professionals, parents, and children on child sexual abuse prevention.
The Mama Bear Effects was founded in 2012 and has been recognized as a national leader in child sexual abuse prevention education.
According to Adrianne Simeone, founder of The Mama Bear Effect, a conservative estimate predicts about 10% of children are at risk of child sexual abuse. This estimate could reach up to 16% of boys and 25% of girls.
In the published 2023 Parental and Caregiver Perspectives on Child Sexual Abuse Prevention study, The Mama Bear Effects found that many parents and caregivers want education on sexual abuse prevention from pediatricians. Despite this, awareness of the child sexual abuse epidemic is only being spread by 10% of pediatricians and family practitioners.
A Pediatric Best Practices Guide, co-written with Martin Finkel, DO, professor emeritus of the CARES Center at the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine, is included in each Pediatric Kit. Finkel has dedicated 40 years of his career to addressing the issues of child sexual abuse.
"It is clear that pediatricians and medical professionals serve a critical role in educating families to help prevent sexual abuse,” Finkel said. “We cannot effectively improve children's outcomes without addressing the risk of sexual abuse."
The Pediatric Kits were partially funded by kNot Today, an Indianapolis-based nonprofit founded by Linda and Frank Reich. Alyssa Van Vactor, Executive Director of kNot Today, stated that the key to protecting children from sexual abuse is starting conversations with parents and giving them resources.
Pediatric Kits can be ordered at www.TheMamaBearEffect.org/pediatrics. Medical centers can schedule a short meeting to discuss participation in a survey for receiving a free Pediatric Kit.
Reference
Pediatric resources for sexual abuse prevention launched by The Mama Bear Effect. The Mama Bear Effect. January 26, 2023. Accessed January 27, 2023. https://www.newswire.com/news/pediatric-resources-for-sexual-abuse-prevention-launched-by-the-mama-21938969
