Stop It Now!

Stop It Now! Stop It Now! (the Child S*x Abuse Prevention & Protection Ctr) - 30 years of preventing abuse.

Helping adults, families and communities prevent the s*xual abuse of children before they are ever harmed.

We cherish opportunities like this one where we can share what we have heard from people who have reached out to our Hel...
09/01/2026

We cherish opportunities like this one where we can share what we have heard from people who have reached out to our Helpline and received direct support that has had a meaningful impact on their life.

Read the full quote from this person who reached out to us last month below:
"Thank you for your thoughtful and compassionate response, and also for all the material and suggestions you shared.

I am truly grateful that you took the time to write to me in such a detailed and understanding way... I would very much like to find the right kind of professional support, ideally something that could also help my wife and me navigate this together. I want to approach this responsibly, honestly, and with the well-being and safety of everyone involved as the absolute priority...

Thank you again for treating me with such humanity and for giving me some perspective and concrete possibilities for what I can do next. I am very grateful."
*xualabuseprevention

08/31/2026

Hey, educators!
Looking for engaging ways to teach online safety and digital citizenship?

We’ve got you covered with FREE K–12 resources from NetSmartz, designed to spark discussion and help students build online safety skills.

Resources are available in English and Spanish!
Explore the resources: NCMEC.org/NetSmartz/Resources

All adults can take an active role in children’s safety, and sometimes this might include talking with other parents abo...
08/27/2026

All adults can take an active role in children’s safety, and sometimes this might include talking with other parents about their child’s behaviors.

Sharing care and compassion, and creating a united front in children’s safety helps make conversations like these productive and meaningful. You can create this healthy dynamic by sharing with the parent what you observed in the child's behavior, avoiding labels or diagnoses, communicating your own feelings, and providing resources like collaborative safety plans.

Learn more about why having these types of conversations is important and techniques for how to have them with our Tip Sheet: https://www.stopitnow.org/ohc-content/talking-to-parents-about-childrens-behavior
*xualabuseprevention

Sometimes as a parent or adult caretaker for youth, you will need to explain clearly to other adults how you expect the ...
08/25/2026

Sometimes as a parent or adult caretaker for youth, you will need to explain clearly to other adults how you expect the children under your care to be treated, and this will mean having a direct conversation with those adults.

It is always a good idea to first gauge if it is safe to have a conversation with this adult. If you feel your safety is at-risk then it is best to contact a domestic violence advocate or the authorities directly.

If you have determined that it is safe to talk to this adult directly then it is time to start a discussion with them. It's important to clearly state your intentions and concerns with them - and this is especially true if they are an adult outside of your family. This statement can be as direct as describing your discomfort with what you've observed in their behavior or asking if they remember the specific instances that made you question their behavior around your children.

To receive further guidance about carrying out this conversation and to learn which warning signs to watch out for please read our Online Help Center piece: https://www.stopitnow.org/ohc-content/talking-with-an-adult-who-may-be-at-risk-to-abuse

Remember, if you feel something is wrong, it is generally better to speak up - this way you can create a window of opportunity to prevent harm before it occurs.
*xualabuseprevention

Trust yourself. If you feel that something is wrong you should follow-up on these feelings and take steps to ensure that...
08/24/2026

Trust yourself.

If you feel that something is wrong you should follow-up on these feelings and take steps to ensure that the environment you're observing is safe for a child.

In order to do this, you may eventually need to talk to other people about what you are noticing, including topics like s*x and child s*xual abuse in your conversation.

There are number of steps you can take before you have this conversation that will make having it easier. These steps include things like educating yourself about children's s*xual development and warning signs in adults and children, keeping a journal of what you are noticing in the child's environment, finding another trusted adult to share your concerns and support you, and strategizing the best time and place to have a difficult conversation.

Follow our complete step-by-step guide to learn more and prepare for a complex conversation:
https://www.stopitnow.org/ohc-content/how-to-prepare-for-a-complex-conversation
*xualabuseprevention

Societal taboos, self-doubt, fear, and pain can all make it difficult to speak about child s*xual abuse, especially as i...
08/21/2026

Societal taboos, self-doubt, fear, and pain can all make it difficult to speak about child s*xual abuse, especially as it affects our own lives or the lives of those we care about.

But there are ways to break through these barriers so that you can speak up when you are concerned about abuse.

Learn more in our Online Help Center piece: https://www.stopitnow.org/ohc-content/what-keeps-us-from-talking-about-s*xual-abuse
*xualabuseprevention #

We are so happy to see our upcoming Circles of Safety: Awareness to Action live virtual training filling up - it is alre...
08/20/2026

We are so happy to see our upcoming Circles of Safety: Awareness to Action live virtual training filling up - it is already halfway full!

We would love to have a completely full class this fall so if you or other youth-serving professionals you know are looking to gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to take action and keep kids safe in your community please consider learning more below, registering, or sharing this training with other adults who work closely with youth.

This is likely our only offering of Awareness to Action this season so secure your spot now: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/fjsu34e

Can a child recover from the effects of s*xual abuse?Yes. With help and understanding, children have the potential to he...
07/27/2026

Can a child recover from the effects of s*xual abuse?

Yes. With help and understanding, children have the potential to heal.
Children are resilient by nature, and how trusted adults respond can have a profound impact on a child’s sense of safety, trust, and potential for healing.

Recovery looks different for every child, but love from caregivers and support from a counselor with experience working with children who have experienced s*xual trauma can make a meaningful difference.

Parents and caregivers can help by:
➡️ Reassuring children that they are not to blame for the abuse.
➡️ Letting children know they are believed.
➡️ Providing opportunities for conversation while allowing the child to move at their own pace.
➡️ Helping children know they are loved, supported, and worth protecting.
➡️ Seeking specialized treatment if a child is showing signs of emotional distress.

Learn more about supporting a child’s recovery: https://www.stopitnow.org/ohc-content/can-a-child-recover-from-the-effects-of-s*xual-abuse

*xualAbuse

Can therapy help a child recover from s*xual abuse?Healing from child s*xual abuse is a process that takes time. Recover...
07/23/2026

Can therapy help a child recover from s*xual abuse?

Healing from child s*xual abuse is a process that takes time. Recovery is much more likely when a child is able to work with an experienced therapist, and for many children, getting help from a specialized professional can be an important part of that process.

Children don’t always feel free to express how they’re feeling to a parent. A therapist or counselor can provide a “safe” relationship where a child is encouraged to explore and express their feelings. They can also help children understand that the abuse was not their fault and work with families to provide guidance and support throughout the healing process.

If you’re not sure whether your child needs or is ready for treatment, making an appointment with a therapist can provide a professional opinion about how your child is doing.

Read the full advice column and learn more about finding specialized support: https://www.stopitnow.org/advice-column-entry/can-therapy-help-my-daughter-recover-from-s*xual-abuse

*xualAbuse

So grateful and thrilled to have Congressman McGovern‘s support for prevention in Massachusetts!
06/18/2026

So grateful and thrilled to have Congressman McGovern‘s support for prevention in Massachusetts!

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