Renewing Light
Helping parents light paths to healing and resilience.
EVERY 9
minutes, Child Protective Services finds evidence or gets a claim for child sexual abuse (1)
66%
of child sexual assault survivors are 12-17 years old (1)
93%
of child sexual assault survivors know their abusers (1)
YOU
Have an impact on helping children have hope and strengthen resilience
What is Renewing Light?
Renewing Light is a resource for parents and caregivers whose child or children have been a victim of child sexual abuse (CSA). It is also a resource for everyone to become educated in risk-factors of CSA and will give prevention factors, such as how you can teach your child about body safety and body awareness.
Why is education on CSA important?
Child sexual abuse is a real issue in the United States. As parents and caregivers, it can be hard to handle how to parent a child after a trauma. There is also a lot of stigma and shame around the topic of CSA, and many people do not seek out treatment. Renewing Light's goal is to provide you not only education on what CSA is, but include the importance of treatment, trauma-informed parenting, and resources for you and your family!
Content Warning
Renewing Light discusses child sexual abuse, which is a heavy topic. Some of the content may be distressing or triggering for some people. The purpose of this website is to provide education for parents and caregivers on child sexual abuse, and will include content such as sexual abuse, domestic violence, trauma, mental health struggles, and violence. Please proceed with these potential triggering topics in mind and prioritize your own mental and emotional well-being first. If you or someone you know is struggling, we encourage you to seek support or reach out to a hotline.
Myths vs Facts about CSA
Myth: Child sexual abuse is a rare experience.
Fact: Unfortunately, CSA is not rare. Research states that 1 out 4 girls and 1 out of 6 boys will experience some form of sexual abuse before the age of 18 (1). Because CSA is not talked about and is very secretive, many cases do not get reported.
Myth: Child sexual abuse perpetrators are creepy strangers.
Fact: Around 93% of CSA survivors know their abusers. Perpetrators are more than likely to be family members or close family friends.
Myth: Young children should not be educated about sexual abuse and would be scared to talk about it.
Fact: There are many ways parents can teach young children about body safety, such as teaching the difference between “not okay” and “okay” body touches. These are important to learn so that young children are more than likely to talk about it and for it to not be a secret.
Myth: Children who are sexually abused never get better.
Fact: Children are resilient and with a combination of professional help and parent/ caregiver support, children can and do recover from sexual abuse.