Originally published in 2008 and updated in 2012, the 2021 revision builds upon those previous versions and incorporates the collective expertise of Prevent Together members, including their knowledge, research, programs, and interventions focused on preventing child sexual abuse and online exploitation. The previously separate Six Pillars for Prevention are now integrated into the National Plan to provide a comprehensive design that informs and supports youth serving organizations in incorporating and sustaining lasting practices that promote protective factors and decrease the risk of child sexual abuse. The National Plan identifies principles and objectives in several key areas, including research, funding, collaborative practices and organizational policies and is built on the following guiding principles (excerpt from plan):
The goal of this plan continues to focus on the need to keep prevention of child sexual abuse and exploitation in the forefront of people’s thoughts, agendas, and policy discussions in such a powerful way that we ensure all children grow up safe and free from all forms of sexual harm. Further, child sexual abuse and the normalization of such abuse, and of exploitation for individual or commercial gain, will be socially, economically, politically, and spiritually unacceptable in all of our communities. This updated version is designed to be a live, evergreen document with new actions regularly added under each pillar to guide and share with prevention partners in their own endeavors to create the safest environment possible for the youth they serve. Look for interactive action plans coming soon. |