"Pledge to Protect" Kids and Students

I am excited to announce that The Date Safe Project has launched a new initiative asking students and families to pledge their support and protection to one another to help reduce the number of sexual assault and date rape incidents.

As a nation, a shared commitment to this cause is exactly the kind of community involvement we need to help put these people away and help raise awareness for families and children of the real dangers that exist out there. Our initiative further reinforces the responsibility of communities and teaches friends and families the importance of supporting and protecting one another.

The Date Safe Project’s program offers two “contracts.” The agreements are educational resources provided to schools and families by The Date Safe Project.

The Commitment to Care agreement is designed for parents and children. Children promise to come to their parents if they are ever victimized in any way sexually, and parents promise to support their children in the way the child wishes to be supported.

Unfortunately, many children who are victims of sexual molestation, and/or teens who have been date raped, resist telling parents. The reasons range from embarrassment to worrying what their parents will actually do to the perpetrator. This Commitment to Care helps open the dialogue between parents and children and creates guidelines both parents and children can be sure of if ever faced with this kind of trauma.

The Pledge to Protect is designed for students in middle and high schools and colleges and universities. Students announce their support for others and promise to help peers who find themselves in potentially dangerous situations. They also vocalize their support for those who have survived a sexual assault. At the end of my presentations this Fall on college campuses, several of the schools have promoted the "Pledge to Protect" and have had fantastic show of support from students and staff.

By making this pledge, students create a united front against sexual assault and date rape, visible to all who need support and to those who have or could possibly commit a sexual crime. It says ‘we will not tolerate this.'

We are not alone in this mission to protect children and others from sexual predators. National figures are helping make a difference. On her talk show, Oprah Winfrey has recently taken on the cause of helping to find sex offenders across the country. She is doing a wonderful job of posting photos of sexual criminals at large on her program. David Schwimmer from the television show "Friends" has actively supported work increasing sexual assault awareness and survivors. Tori Amos has been at the forefront of supporting R.A.I.N.N. (Rape, Abuse, Incest, and National Network). The more we can get people of all backgrounds speaking out, the more our society is to start talking.