It is not enough to shed tears for those who suffer the tragedy of sexual abuse, nor will much be accomplished nurturing hatred and devising punishments for those who sexually abuse. Only by sharing knowledge, providing training, exchanging ideas, and challenging traditional beliefs and biases can we respond effectively to sexual victimization.
— Jan Hindman
Awareness for victims. Most efforts to honor victims of sexual abuse are connected to the punishment of their abusers. Harsh sentences, social rejection, and new prison construction — these are the offerings to victims from a society that perceives vengeance as its only tool. In this effort, the experiences and needs of sexual victims are often overlooked or ignored. This web site offers materials and publications to better understand the suffering of sexual victims and what they need to recover, independent of their perpetrator's punishment.
Awareness about offenders. Myths and misconceptions merge into a stereotypical profile of the sex offender, often imagined behind a park bush, leering at children and offering sacks of candy. In fact, most child victims will be sexually offended by someone attending Thanksgiving dinner and most adult victims will be sexually assaulted by a trusted acquaintance. This distorted profile makes vengeance easier, but since this type of offender is rare, many problems emerge with the detection, prosecution, and management of sex offenders. This web site strives to create an improved knowledge base regarding sexual offenders, because only by overcoming the myths and misconceptions about those who abuse will society's response to sexual victims be helpful.
The ultimate prevention — teaching sexual respect. Sexual abuse prevention programs — supported by bulging budgets, national endowments, and training symposiums — usually direct their energies to teaching awareness of danger. As millions are spent helping children avoid being sexually abused, little effort is exerted to prevent children from becoming abusers. This web site focuses on the ultimate prevention effort — teaching children sexual respect so they do not become sexual abusers.
A partnership of knowledge. Finally, this web site is dedicated to establishing a partnership with educators, judges, therapists, psychologists, prosecutors, advocates, social workers, religious leaders, medial professionals, law enforcement officers, and especially parents — a partnership based on knowledge and awareness to foster sexual safety and respect