Prevent Together's National Plan to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation consists of Six Pillars for Preventing Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (the Six Pillars) that provide evidence-informed and culturally sensitive and competent strategies to prevent child sexual abuse and exploitation. They are the essential components of comprehensive, effective primary prevention efforts, and they are critical to develop effective preventative solutions, highlight where progress is needed, and promote factors that can drive change.
The Pillars are listed alphabetically, rather than in order of importance, as each Pillar is critical to effective prevention. While it is the totality of the Pillars that will have the most impact on preventing child sexual abuse and exploitation, it is also recognized that not everyone will or needs to be actively engaged with every Pillar. Collectively, with individuals, organizations, and coalitions focusing on these Six Pillars, we will stand the greatest chance of reaching the overall goal together. Described under each Pillar are guiding principles and key objectives. The Pillars describe “What” we need to do to realize the overarching goal of preventing child sexual abuse and exploitation. The guiding principles explain “Why” the Pillar is essential. The key objectives identify “How” we accomplish this and describe how individuals, advocates, organizations, and legislators can work together to address and realize the Pillar. These are not exhaustive but offer a starting point for those working to implement the Pillars.
Strategize and support local, state, and national policies, practices, norms, and beliefs that promote the overall safety and sexual health of children and strengthen comprehensive child sexual abuse and exploitation prevention efforts.
Develop and reinforce awareness messages and education strategies to enhance community engagement and social movements that strengthen comprehensive sexual health and child sexual abuse and exploitation prevention education.
Foster multidisciplinary collaborations to expand resources and increase the coordinated impact of child sexual abuse and exploitation prevention initiatives.
Advocate for and provide sufficient, committed, and sustainable funding to build organizational capacity and advance accessible and successful child sexual abuse and exploitation prevention measures.
Develop and reinforce comprehensive organizational policies, practices, norms, and beliefs that emphasize youth protection and the primary prevention of child sexual abuse and exploitation.
Support, conduct, and disseminate high quality research that will inform child sexual abuse and exploitation prevention practices and amplify impact and outcomes.
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