Healing the World From a Place of Chaos

Overwhelm is an understandable outcome in a world where social injustices are making headlines day after day after day.

The suffering is widespread. The solution is unclear.

How can we take steps forward when it seems that each step contributes to further harm?

Consider this article about Halifax Regional Municipality's attempt to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement. HRM still managed to misuse their power and steamrolled their own agenda and objectives instead of working with the community that is experiencing the harm.

Missteps like this happen all the time.

It’s called systemic for a reason.

How can we work together, when it does not seem like we are all trying to achieve the same thing?

Some champions are trying to improve systems and deliver services efficiently, but many people are swirling in their lifelong unmet needs and are sabotaging progress.

The truth is that personality conflicts, ignorance, racism, sexism, and intolerant behaviours seep into our culture and our organizations, consuming time, energy and attention.

Enter overwhelm, and it’s sidekick hopelessness.

At Priority Kids we are familiar with the vortex that can overcome even the most grounded advocate.

Seeking to understand the intersectionality of social injustices, and support a solution, can cause the critical mind to spiral.

And that is exactly why we stay focused on protecting kids from sexual abuse.

Keeping children safe from sexual abuse is something we can all agree on.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that people are taking action to protect children.

It doesn’t mean that people understand the risks children face or the staggering statistics about childhood sexual abuse.

Before we slip into the vortex of overwhelm, let’s start with one simple step that we can take together.

At Priority Kids, we advocate for, and deliver Stewards of Children® prevention training. This award winning, evidence informed training is utilized around the globe. In 78 countries, millions of adults have taken the training and the feedback is consistent. Participants consistently say that they STRONGLY AGREE with the statement,

I am now more willing to report suspicion of child sexual abuse.

This half-day training teaches adults effective strategies that protect children from sexual abuse and gives us a chance to be on the same page.

It is a starting point for understanding and valuing consent.

It is a foundation for setting and respecting boundaries.

It teaches us to listen to children with curiosity, knowing they may need our help.

Which opens the door to hearing all kinds of important information.

We learn that ANY child can be harbouring confusion and shame and that EVERY child has a chance to recover and thrive when they are able to share their truth, and be believed.

When we are listening, and believing, we are disrupting the status quo.

The problems you are experiencing in your day to day operations may seem completely unrelated to childhood sexual abuse. Meeting basic needs (food, water, shelter, internet access), interpersonal challenges, trying to work with a barely functional team to deliver services in a barely co-ordinated way, lack of funding and resources, rigidity and fear-based decision making.

We hear you. And we know that you are working hard to stay connected to a vision of helping children succeed.

If you are working for a youth-serving organization and you are struggling to bring about positive change, then please consider the value of advocating for training that teaches adults how to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.

If you are frustrated with a community or team that is not able to work together effectively, or has varying levels of readiness for change, please consider the value of taking action together for a common goal.

We can all stand behind the mission of eradicating childhood sexual abuse

But can we take a step together to make this mission a reality?

Change makers across the globe are working to disrupt systemic harm. The quickest and most efficient way to support and empower change makers is to take the steps needed to keep kids safe from sexual abuse.

Each child that is protected, each child that is believed, each child that grows up thriving, is a change maker.

You’re not alone in your efforts to spread love and kindness. We’re here to help.

Contact us today so we can work together to help your team find some common ground… something we can all agree on, keeping kids safe from sexual abuse.

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If the content of this article causes you distress or discomfort, please seek support.

Where to get help in Nova Scotia

Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868