Department of Justice Announces $1.2 Million in Grants to Protect Children from Sexual Exploitation

/PRNewswire/ -- The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) has announced the award of four grants totaling $1.2 million to support the development of strategies that protect children from commercial and sexual exploitation. These grants are part of the Department's national strategy to prevent and interdict child exploitation announced by Attorney General Eric Holder.

"Protecting our youth remains a priority with the Justice Department," said Laurie Robinson, Assistant Attorney General, OJP. "We are determined to have strategies in place that prevent, and if necessary, rescue and help children recover from exploitation. These grants will provide the resources necessary to reach the children and hold the perpetrators accountable."

OJP's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) will administer the awards, which will support selected Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Forces by making available improved training and coordination activities, help in developing policies and procedures to identify child victims, assistance in the investigation and prosecution of adult perpetrators and the identification and adoption of best practices for compassionate victim intervention. This grant program is authorized under the Providing Resources, Officers, and Technology to Eradicate Cyber Threats to Our Children Act of 2008, (P.L. 110-401, 42 USC 17601, et seq.) ("the PROTECT Act"). Eligible applicants under the competitive solicitation were the existing 61 ICAC Task Forces and affiliate law enforcement agencies.

Recipients include:
-- County of Alameda, Oakland, CA ($300,000)
-- Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Decatur, GA ($300,000)
-- City of Boston, MA ($300,000)
-- Cook County State's Attorney's Office, Chicago, IL ($299,999)

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Macon Launches Georgia's Largest Community-Wide Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Initiative

PRNewswire/ -- Macon launched its community-wide child sexual abuse prevention initiative on Saturday with huge success. Hosted by the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy, "Macon A Difference" held at the Macon Train Terminal kicked off the state's most comprehensive community-wide Darkness to Light training initiative to date. More than 200 people turned out to take a stand against child sexual abuse, and nearly 100 people signed up for Darkness to Light training.

"We were thrilled to see such a large turnout from the Macon community on Saturday," said Nancy Chandler, CEO of the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy. "With such an initial strong show of support, we are confident we will reach our goal of training 6,000 adults in Macon by the end of 2009, and one million Georgians by 2020."

Frank Malloy of WMAZ-13 opened the event with facts about child sexual abuse and introduced Bibb County Schools Superintendent Sharon Patterson who discussed the importance of the Darkness to Light training initiative to the faculty and staff of Macon schools. Georgia Center for Child Advocacy CEO Nancy Chandler spoke to attendees about the importance of getting adults trained on preventing child sexual abuse, and presented a proclamation signed by Mayor Robert Reichert declaring Sept. 13 Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Day in Macon. Attendees not only participated in the free Darkness to Light training and signed up for future trainings, but also pledged their support to protect children by signing a banner which will remain on display in Macon at The Medical Center of Central Georgia.

The Darkness to Light training curriculum educates adults to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. The Georgia Center hopes to motivate more and more adults throughout the state to sign-up for the training in order to recognize and prevent instances of child sexual abuse.

"The Macon community has proven its commitment to protecting its children from sexual abuse," said Chandler. "The next step in stopping child sexual abuse in Georgia is for every city to follow Macon's lead and implement comprehensive community-wide Darkness to Light training initiatives in their own town."

The Georgia Center for Child Advocacy is working with other local child sexual abuse organizations throughout the state to institute similar community-wide Darkness to Light training initiatives. The Macon event was successful thanks to numerous Macon community partners and volunteers including Crescent House, Bibb County DFCS, Bibb County School System, Georgia Children's Museum, Peyton Anderson Foundation, Macon Police Department, Bibb County Sheriff's Department, Exchange Club of Macon, WMAZ-13, and Food Lion.

For more information on Darkness to Light training in your community please visit www.georgiacenterforchildadvocacy.org or call 678-904-2880 x205.

About The Georgia Center for Child Advocacy

The Georgia Center for Child Advocacy, a nationally certified child advocacy center is the preeminent authority on the treatment of childhood sexual abuse, providing evaluation and treatment for children's long-term recovery, and leading a statewide prevention and education program to end the sexual abuse on children.

About Darkness to Light

Darkness to Light is a nonprofit organization that seeks to protect children from sexual abuse by placing responsibility on adult shoulders. They educate adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.

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