Educational Programs

The Wade Knox Children's Advocacy Center offers a variety of educational programs to Day Cares, Schools - Students (Pre-K - 12), School Administrators and personnel, School Nurses, Community Organizations, Religious Organizations as well as specific developed topics unique to your organization. These programs are offered at no cost.

"It's My Body" - Pre-K - First

"It's My Body" has been written in order to help children talk about sexual abuse in a way which minimizes embarrassment and fear but emphasizes self-reliance and open communications. The Victim Advocate with the help of hand puppet "Buddy Bear," reads "It's My Body" to students while the puppet interacts with the students at appropriate intervals. Students learn how their feelings can help them make decisions about sharing their bodies. Students also learn how to communicate their decisions to others. This program presents two "touching codes" which should become automatic responses to uncomfortable touch situations. Finally, the Victim Advocate will coach your students to look you in the eye, hold up their hands, and say the "codes" like they really mean it.

"Rocka-Billy Bear - Keeping Your Whole Body Safe by Recognize, Resist and Report" Grades 2 -3

"Rocka-Billy Bear - Keeping Your Whole Body Safe by Recognize, Resist and Report" will utilize a certified volunteer dressed in a child-friendly bear mascot costume. The Victim Advocate will tell the educational story with interactive play relating to the prevention of sexual and physical child abuse. The objective of this program is to teach students how to recognize safe and unsafe boundaries relating to sexual and physical abuse; how to resist and say "no" to perpetrators; how to recognize when the grooming process begins and to identify at least two (2) individuals that they can report their alleged abuse even if they are coerced. By using story-telling methodologies with a bear mascot costume, children, regardless of race, national origin or socioeconomic backgrounds, can easily relate.

"Break the Silence - Kids Against Child Abuse" Grades 4-5

"Break the Silence - Kids Against Child Abuse" is a DVD program that breaks open the reality of child abuse. Four children talk candidly about their abuse and their abusers as they describe how perpetrators use fear, manipulation, and neglect to hurt children. As these children tell his/her story, animated versions of the child and the abuser help illustrate how the abuse happened and how it made the child feel. The use of the DVD program allows the technique of stopping the DVD to ask a question as an effective means of enhancing the students' interest. The objective of this program is to present children who have had real-life situations and how students can recognize safe and unsafe boundaries relating to sexual and physical abuse, and that students should tell an adult whom they can trust if they feel they are being abused or if they know someone who is.

"Breaking the Silence - Understanding Sexual and Physical Abuse, Grooming and Reporting" Grades 6-8

"Breaking the Silence - Understanding Sexual and Physical Abuse, Grooming and Reporting" DVD is an interactive presentation to teenage students. This educational program features a discussion involving students sharing their opinions and concerns regarding sexual and physical abuse. These students are not experts or authorities on sexual abuse, but they seek answers and information which will better their understanding of the scope of sexual and physical abuse. This discussion format "triggers" awareness and discussion and provides practical tools (recognize, resist and report) for teens to use against potential abuse. The DVD provides the Victim Advocate the opportunity to have a question and answer session as information unfolds during the presentation. The educational program further reveals to teens the grooming process by emphasizing that abusers groom their victims slowly and discreetly. Finally, the program concludes with reporting. This program answers the questions that many teens have regarding: How do I report abuse? Will I have to go to court? Will my parents need to know?

These questions are answered thoroughly and frankly. Research indicates that teens, as a group, may be the most affected by sexual abuse but know very little on how to protect themselves. Getting teens to talk with each other about sexual abuse can be a powerful and effective weapon providing them with the vital information needed to empower them.

"No-No - The Little Seal"

No-No, The Little Seal.  The book is written by Sherri Patterson and illustrated by Marion Krupp.

No-No, The Little Seal is designed to explain sexual abuse in a way that young children can understand and show them how to protect themselves from this problem.  No-No, a baby harp seal, is a character that young children can respond to and readily identify with.  No-No is a seal and not a real child.  This places his dilemma just far enough away so children don't feel unduly threatened or fearful.

Like most children who are victims of sexual abuse, No-No is molested by someone he knows and trusts.  And like most children, No-No is scared to tell what has happened.  Finally he does talk to his parents and sees that he can tell grownups when there is a problem, and that he can get help.  Most of all, he discovers the abuse was not his fault and that he is still loved.

No-No's story is a story about believing in oneself.  The prevention of sexual abuse may depend on children's faith in themselves and their world and their ability to stand up for themselves and say "no."

The story is on PowerPoint so that children can see the illustrations clearly.  This will allow the child to talk about the pictures if they want.  This program uses a baby harp seal puppet that looks exactly like No-No.  The puppet helps to read the story and interacts with the children.

At the end of the presentation, the children are told that if they are touched by anyone in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable or not okay, they should tell someone they trust.  Telling is vital.  This program is about 20-25 minutes in length.

"Internet Safety, Cyber Bullying and Sexting in corroboration with The Arkansas Attorney General's Office"
This comprehensive program is designed to actively engage students in understanding the "Keys to Safety" and the appropriate use of technology from computers to smart-cell phones. The Outreach Division of the Arkansas Attorney General's Office provides a common sense approach to teaching young people ways to protect themselves. The presenter provides true testimonies from teens who have been victims of internet crimes. Also presented are the realities of heinous acts that lead to teens' deaths due to the lack of understanding of the consequences of the inappropriate use. This program relates to students the long-term effects that can result if appropriate use of technology is not adhered to. These long-term effects include: disqualification for certain employment opportunities, college admissions and possible registering as a sex offender. This program emphasizes strong communication between parents and schools.
"Darkness to Light" - (There is a minimal fee for each student.)

"Darkness to Light’s® Stewards of Children is an organization whose purpose is to raise awareness of child sexual abuse as a significant societal problem and to provide comprehensive, effective, evidence-based educational resources dedicated toward preventing it. We accomplish our goals by engaging responsible adults who share accountability for safeguarding children- parents, principals and teachers, counselors, spiritual leaders, coaches, and similar figures. Through our awareness raising and programming efforts, the prevalence of sexual abuse will be greatly diminished and more children will lead healthier lives." (2006 Darkness to Light)

This is a dynamic presentation that engages attendees in understanding the true realities that impact families, communities and forever changes the child victim.

"Children with Disabilities and Abuse"
This program focuses on "disabilities and abuse." This program identifies the types of abuse (physical and sexual) and provides a list of behavioural indicators. Sexual abuse is common among people who have mental retardation because the victims may not realize that sexual abuse is abusive, unusual or illegal. Individuals with disabilities are treated differently at all stages of society and are easy prey for sexual offenders. This program provides insight for those individuals who work with and care for children and adults with disabilities.