Children don't have words to say what horrible abuses have happened to them, and are told NOT to tell by abusers! We use play therapy to give them a voice, so they can SHOW counselors what happened and heal! Each dollar ensures another $16 continue to flow, so we can provide up to 6.5 months of FREE counseling to each victim to help them heal from heinous crimes! We must raise $155,000 every year & still need $37,000 for 2015-16! Anything raised over this amount will go toward next year's match.
One out of every 3 girls and 1 of every 6 boys is sexually abused before the age of 18 by someone they know. Experience tells us the number of boys is actually vastly underreported. Children tend to 'act out' their abuse in misbehavior if not given an outlet for their trauma--such as getting in trouble at home and at school. Abused children need a means to communicate in ways other than words, to someone who can help them, or many are punished for their trauma in school or detention centers.
Play therapists & equipment provide children 'a means to tell' by showing in play, what abuse occurred. Children who witness domestic violence--or who have seen or heard the homicide of 1 parent by another, can show the therapist, what happened in their home. Sexually abused children pick up anatomically correct dolls and show the gender of the person who touched them and what part of their body was touched. Cameras tell the courts and help therapists make the case so other kids are protected!
Over 500 abused children receive needed treatment annually, the means to tell their stories, & achieve significant healing. Perpetrators are arrested & prosecuted, halting their ability to harm others. Victims transform to Victors--with fewer social, academic & occupational functioning problems in life--allowing them to thrive in happy, fulfilling relationships, school & careers, & to achieve their full potential. Most stop the cycle of violence & help others with their talents later in life!
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
