Project Nightlight uses short films, music, and apparel to grab kids attention and give them the courage to speak out against abuse. We provide volunteer guest speakers, after school programs, public service announcements, and printed materials to educate both children and adults on the truth about abuse. All of this with hip attitude! We are working hard to change the negative social stigma associated with talking about abuse. Children should feel empowered to report abuse, not hide it because they are ashamed.
The Problem: Abuse isn't getting reported
Children don't report their own abuse. (Fact: Of the 3 million cases reported each year, less than 300 are reported by the child being abused.) Physical abuse is reported most frequently because it is visible to others. Sexual abuse and neglect are rarely reported. Researchers estimate that less than one third of abuse is reported each year. This means that 6 million cases of abuse go unreported each year. In Los Angeles County alone, this means that potentially 100,000 children are living with abuse in addition to the 50,000 already in social care.
How Project Nightlight helps:
Project Nightlight is working toward revolutionizing the way people view victims of abuse. We want children to feel comfortable and have the self-confidence to speak up about what is happening to them. We also encourage adults to join in the fight by openly talking about their past when it involves abuse. This is a big undertaking and we need all the help that we can get! We are currently looking for recognizable celebrities to provide stock photos and quotes endorsing the idea that it's "okay" to talk about abuse. This can be actors, musicians, professional skaters, surfers, other athletes, or anyone else that appeals to teens and school age children.
Project Nightlight addresses the fear of the unknown, (i.e. the scary social care system). Children are terrified to report abuse. As far as they are concerned, social care is a black hole that they will fall into once they report abuse. Project Nightlight has been meeting with social workers to produce printed materials explaining what really does happen after abuse is reported and what it is like to live within the social care system. We break the process down and make it simple for kids to understand. . We give realistic examples of what might happen after reporting abuse, such as spending time living with other families or in a group with other children. We also show filmed interviews with other kids who have lived in foster care, talking about their experience. The more children know about the process, the more confidence they have in the system and the more likely they will be to report their abuse.
Project Nightlight educates children on the basics of abuse, such as the difference between discipline and abuse and support groups and confidential hot lines. Please note that Project Nightlight does not operate a hotline. Instead we recommend Childhelp USA, a privately funded nationwide hotline.
For a detailed explanation of our program teaching children about reporting abuse, check out this short grant application, but clicking this link, the grant application will download automatically to your computer:a
Click here for volunteer opportunities!
Our History
Our Founder and Executive Director
Our Board
Accomplishments
Press
