Germantown First In Nation for Child Sexual Abuse Training

(Germantown, TN) – Mayor Sharon Goldsworthy and the city of Germantown are leading the way when it comes to protecting children from sexual abuse.

“[Children] expect and they deserve and we need to offer them the protection and support that only adults can give them,” said Goldsworthy.

The city is the first in the nation to receive the Partner in Prevention status given out by the Darkness to Light organization. 

All of Germantown’s employees who work with children, from police officers to parks and recreation workers have all received training on how to prevent and report child sexual abuse. Around 275 employees have been through the three hour training.

“Child sexual abuse happens in every community in our country and all children are at risk,” said Virginia Stallworth, who heads up the training for the Memphis Child Advocacy Center.

She says even the Germantown is known to be a safe community, children are still at risk there. Stallworth hopes more cities across the Mid-South will follow in the footsteps of Germantown and be good stewards of children.

“The information that we provide in the training helps adults recognize the dynamics, the patterns, the grooming techniques used by perpetrators to gain access to the kids,” said Stallworth.

Germantown hopes to also make this training possible for city volunteers who workwith children. For more information on the program, you can call 888-4363.

To report child sexual abuse call 1-877-237-0004.