International Model Programming
Our “Stop the Silence® Comprehensive Child Sexual Abuse Training, Prevention, Mitigation, and Care Model” focuses on the development and implementation of programming around the world. The vision and framework for the Model reflects and promotes a community-led social movement through a widening audience of community members and trained professionals. The goal is to reach key policymakers, stakeholders, service providers (e.g., educators, police, social service workers) and societal members, to ultimately impact members of society overall and the outcomes and impact of CSA. The framework focuses on the planned expansion of the targeted “spheres of influence” that directly impact children’s well-being.
Child Sexual Abuse is a silent epidemic throughout the world, creating social havoc. It can be prevented and treated with a conscious and sustained effort. Stop the Silence® provides that effort.
The Model’s parts have previously been tested in Cyprus, New Zealand, the UK/EU (e.g. including Central European areas), the US, and Zambia. Recent work in New Zealand allowed us to expand the integration of data analytics and mobile technologies into our existing social change programming, leading to the incorporation of the Trust MYRIVR App—a unique electronic referral and information system developed by our partner, Trust MYRIVR (TMR)—into our existing Model.
Click below to learn more about Spheres of Influence and how we Create Safe Communities through CSA Prevention and Mitigation
Art as Advocacy
ACADEMIC- AND COMMUNITY-BASED CSA PREVENTION/MITIGATON AND TRAINING PROGRAMS
Stop the Silence® has now packaged all the creative work that it has done over the years – in awareness, education, outreach, and training – and developed the Art as Advocacy Program, which uses film, theatre, dance, music, still art, and books to introduce and forward a movement to prevent and mitigate child sexual abuse (CSA). We do this through localized activities (“think global, act local”) while also providing training and outreach nationally and internationally.
Each of our programs have been vetted and evaluated in and through a number of venues over the past years and have been shown to greatly increase awareness, knowledge, and intent to act. The program is exploring the use of a unique computer-based Benefits Visualization model to keep programs on track to deliver quantifiable social and economic goals. Programming is interactive, contextual, scalable, and relevant to systems strengthening.
Interested in bringing Art as Advocacy to your community? Contact pamelap@ivatcenters.org.
Plays/ Drama/ Theater
Photo: Ask a Sex Abuse Survivor, written and performed by Michael Broussard
The use of plays like Ask a Sex Abuse Survivor by Michael Broussard and To Kill A Kelpie by Matthew McVarish and the after-show presentations/discussions have been tested and shown to increase awareness and promote healing by tapping into the audience’s emotions/feelings after the play or film, readying them to receive and process information.
Art of Self-Empowerment Program
Stop the Silence® collaborates with Herb Cohen, founder of the Art of Self-Empowerment, a powerful program designed for children and adults alike. This colorful advocacy program is currently being introduced in partnership with Stop the Silence®.
Click to Visit the Art of Self-Empowerment Website
Dance/ Expressive Art and Music
Stop the Silence® uses and promotes lyrical/artistic dance and musical performances (on many levels and across a myriad of platforms) to offer comfort, encouragement, and inspiration to survivors of abuse and trauma.
Films/Movies & Media
Stop the Silence also uses films like Lost Sparrow by Chris Billing, which helps underscore the cultural divides possible in CSA, “The Tale” directed by Jennifer Fox, with Laura Dern, Jason Ritter, Common, Elizabeth Debicki; Devil in the Doorway by Chase Tarca that has a university-age audience at heart; and Flesh, which highlights human trafficking. Additionally, we use the book Father Figure by Sumi Mukherjee and the professionally rendered music video “Hit by Lightning” by Tamora Pellikka, written by Amy Pine.
Raising Awareness -Local, National, International
For ten years, from 2004 through 2013, Stop the Silence® conducted the Race to Stop the Silence® (Stop Child Sexual Abuse) in downtown Washington, D.C. Other Races have been conducted in Florida, and the Walk to Stop the Silence® occurred in Santa Cruz, CA, for 10 years in partnership with and by Survivors Healing Center of the Family Service Agency of the Central Coast serving Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties, CA.
Over the past eighteen years, other advocacy events have been concentrated in local environments, and funds raised have gone to local programming for the prevention and treatment of CSA.
Additionally, Stop the Silence® is proud to have catalyzed, supported, and managed the Road to Change® – Walk to Stop the Silence®, Stop Child Sexual Abuse, a 10,000 mile walk carried out between May 2013 and February 2015. The Road to Change® (RTC) was the brainchild of and led by Matthew McVarish, Scottish actor, playwright, musician, and activist. RTC visited 31 nations across Europe, garnering enormous media attention across the continent and affecting policy change on the statutes of limitations. Today, Stop the Silence® is expanding the Road to Change® program, emphasizing CSA/ACEs-focused realities and programs. We aim to increase communication with policymakers and practitioners as well as the public through a live international musical event and gala to garner broad international media as well as through presentations, webinars, and trainings, to expand understanding and underscore what this program is able to accomplish (see slides 34-53 for media process).
GET HELP
get help: Adults
There are a number of very good resources for survivors of child sexual abuse. Many areas offer local support groups where you can connect with others who are going through similar circumstances.
get help: Teens
If you are a teenager, and have been abused, tell a trusted adult about the abuse. If they don’t do anything, tell someone else. There are some books that you may also want to read and other information you may want to get.
get help: children
If you are, or have, or know a child who has been sexually abused, you are not meant to travel this journey alone. You need to be able to talk to someone – someone who will listen and help you. The person can be any any trusted adult who you think can help.
Education, Outreach, and Training
Stop the Silence: Stop Child Sexual Abuse, Inc. has developed extensive trainings and programs which are now being implemented both within the United States and abroad. In 2014, we furthered our model through programming in Cyprus. This model, as discussed above, is currently being broadened to include other countries and community groups/needs. Please read more about our Cyprus Model of Training, here.
Stop the Silence® and Survivors Healing Center (SHC) of Family Service Agency of the Central Coast of California in California developed a training for service providers that was the base for the training aspect of our model. It has been tested and shown effective in increasing awareness, knowledge, understanding about and action on child sexual abuse (CSA) with U.S. and international audiences from various types of government and non-profit groups and organizations. This training provides a broad overview of many aspects of the issue of CSA, focusing in particular on those areas that will be most useful for a variety of health and human service providers, educators, law enforcement professionals, and others who are or may be involved with aspects of CSA. Additionally, the training teaches practical tools for working with survivors effectively and respectfully and provides a discussion and guidance on policy issues.
Online Education
Stop the Silence® has been working with Dr. Craig Hansen, based in New Zealand, and the University of Applied Research and Development (https://uard.university/) to develop Masters, Post-Graduate Diploma, and Post-Graduate Certificate Level Programmes in Child Trauma and Protection, Level 7. We have moved to the final launch stage and we expect to go live with the first level (Certificate) of the program marketed primarily to a U.S. audience by the end of 2021.
The Nanny League Training
Stop the Silence® is proud to work in conjunction with The Nanny League to provide a quick but comprehensive on-line training specifically for nannies on CSA prevention and mitigation. For only $39.95, the training provides all incoming nannies an overview on the issue of CSA – including trafficking: what it is, what it does, how you can prevent it, how you can detect a problem, and how you can report it. Similar online trainings are available for other audiences.
OUR BASIC TRAINING COMPONENTS
The basic training manual consists of a number of modules or sections that can be used individually or collectively, depending on the training needs. All or most of the modules focus on and/or include:
Pages outlining the presentation of the material covered
Additional materials, handouts containing informational readings or worksheets
The materials are designed to be used for presentations ranging from two hours to one week, with various populations of service providers:
Professionals
Paraprofessionals, and
Lay people
As trainers, we choose modules according to the needs of the specific group being trained and the length of the training. We encourage future individuals or trainers who are trained (we provide a training-of-trainers option) to do likewise. An agenda is developed for each training that is planned and lists the names of the sections to be used and an approximate time frame.
The cost of the training is dependent upon the extent of training needed, designed, and presented, as well as the number of participants, and travel and related costs. Please contact us to explore possibilities: pamelap@ivatcenters.org.
Individualized and customized trainings are available, targeting various needs, sectors and groups. Please contact us to request your specific need.
Frequently Asked Questions STS-IVAT-UARD
Online Education Program
1. What is the Stop the Silence® / IVAT / UARD Online Post-Graduate Certificate to Master’s Degree (as desired) Program in Child Protection?
The online Post-Graduate Certificate toward Master’s Degree (as desired) in Child Protection offers a unique opportunity to gain vital knowledge in the field of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma. Led by SMEs (subject-matter experts) in the field, this program provides essential and comprehensive information online and at your own pace.
The Certificate and Post-Graduate Degree are designed to equip participants with the skills and expertise needed to address the complex issues surrounding child protection. Moreover, this program is accessible at a fraction of the cost of other postsecondary education programs. With the Certificate achievable in as little as three months and the Master’s degree completion typically requiring an additional 9-12 months, participants can tailor their learning journey according to their schedule and career aspirations. The program’s focus spans prevention, treatment, mitigation, and policy considerations related to child sexual abuse, physical abuse, psychological abuse, and other ACEs, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to make a significant impact in the field of child protection.
2. Who is giving this Program and what are its credentials?
Stop the Silence® is a Department of the Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma (IVAT), based in San Diego, CA, with satellite offices in Hawai’i and Maryland. IVAT is a non-profit (501(c)(3)) leading international resource and training center, with more than 35 years of providing comprehensive education, training, and more. We condemn violence and oppression in all its forms and stand with all who work for equality and peace. Stop the Silence®-A Department of IVAT has a mission to prevent, expose, and stop child sexual abuse (CSA) and other adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and help survivors heal worldwide. We work through awareness-raising, education, training, and policy change projects and programs.
The Post-Graduate to Master’s Degree Program in Child Protection is given in partnership with the University of Applied Research and Development (UARD), which is accredited in the United Kingdom (UK). UARD is an accredited university, with formal pathways to several regionally accredited USA universities and additional programs of learning are approved by the USA Veteran’s Association (VA).
This program is endorsed by NOCN (National Open College Network), signifying its adherence to rigorous educational standards and industry best practices. Our collaboration with UARD not only provides students with elevated postsecondary education opportunities but also offers specialized training at the graduate degree level, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to address complex issues related to child protection. Through our partnership with UARD, we ensure that our students have access to high-quality education and guidance from experienced faculty, empowering them to pursue careers dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children and families worldwide.
3. How are classes taught?
Classes are taught using short, 15-30 minute video seminars developed and presented by acclaimed subject matter experts in their field, subject-specific background papers, live classes, support sessions, live student presentations, and interactive forums. Please ask Dr. Pamela Pine (PamelaP@ivatcenters.org) about instructors. The Master’s Level Program in Child Trauma and Protection, Level 7 requires a high level of independent work.
4. How is the work assessed?
Assessment takes place through professors’ review of progress, original presentations to the group, short quizzes, and, in the case of the Master’s Degree, more substantial testing, short papers, and a thesis.
5. When does the Program begin?
Typically, our three-month Certificate classes commence in Winter (e.g., starting in January), Spring/Summer (e.g., May or June), and Fall (e.g., September). However, for the year 2024, the Master’s class is scheduled to begin in September instead of the Certificate class. This adjustment allows our staff to allocate sufficient attention to the Master’s Program. The commencement of the Master’s class in September is contingent upon enrollment in the Master’s program by August.
6. How do I get more information about the Program and syllabus?
You can go to the Stop the Silence® website (https://www.ivatcenters.org/stop-the-silence) and/or contact Dr. Pamela J. Pine (PamelaP@ivatcenters.org) to set up a time to get more information and discuss the program with her.
7. Why should I register for the Program?
If any of the following are true for you, this Program is right for you:
Are you sometimes frustrated by the lack of ability to make a more substantial and profound difference in the life of others who have experienced childhood trauma?
Are you interested in enhancing your knowledge and understanding of child trauma and protection?
Do you want to expand your personal comprehension of child trauma and protection?
Are you looking for postsecondary education opportunities related to child trauma?
Do you want to enhance your professional growth in child trauma and protection by increasing your capabilities, competencies, and leadership potential?
Do you want to increase your employability and salary potential?
Have you found it difficult to find and/or afford education in child trauma and protection?
8. Will I get official paperwork at the end of the Program?
In addition to all the wonderful information you will attain and the resources to meet your needs professionally (see above question), the Certificate Program offers an official university-provided Certificate (and a Transcript as needed and specifically requested) and an official transcript for the Master’s Degree.
9. How much does the Program cost?
The cost of the three-month Certificate Program is $1200 for those in the Global North and half that for those in the Global South. Other special prices are sometimes offered. The Master’s Program is another $6,000 for those in the Global North and half that for those in the Global South.
10. How do I register for the online Program in Child Protection?
Once you have decided that this Program is for you, you can sign up through the website above or Please click here!