FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Susan Habas, Executive Director
Thalian Association Community Theatre
910-251-1788 shabas@thalian.org
Thalian Association Community Theatre Takes Action to Protect Children of Cape Fear Region as a Darkness to Light “Partner in Prevention”
Staff Members Trained in Award-Winning Stewards of Children® Program for Child Sexual Abuse Prevention
WILMINGTON, NC – Thalian Association Community Theatre has achieved Partner in Prevention status, a designation awarded by the nonprofit Darkness to Light to organizations which take extra steps to protect the children they serve by training staff to understand the issue of child sexual abuse, identify unsafe situations and practices, and react responsibly in the best interest of the children they serve.
One in 10 children will be sexually abused before the age of 18. Thalian Association Community Theatre earned the Partner in Prevention designation by providing Stewards of Children® training to over 90% of its management, staff, and volunteers. This evidence-informed program is scientifically proven to help participants prevent and respond to child sexual abuse. Partner in Prevention was created as a national standard to help parents and caregivers recognize organizations that take child protection seriously by implementing policy and training staff to prevent child sexual abuse.
Darkness to Light is an international organization that leads the movement to end child sexual abuse by educating and empowering adults in education, youth serving organizations, and communities to protect children. Darkness to Light has affiliates in all 50 states and 17 international locations.
“Hundreds of children participate in Youth Theatre productions, Creative Arts Camp, after school TACT Academy classes, Thalian Hall shows, and attend events at the Community Arts Center, so Thalian Association is in a unique position to keep our young people safe,” said Susan Habas, Executive Director Thalian Association Community Theatre. “We are grateful to the Carousel Center for providing the education for our staff and volunteers to recognize and help prevent child abuse. Our community theatre organization is committed to providing a safe place for area children.”
To learn more about child sexual abuse prevention training or to enroll your organization in Darkness to Light’s “Partner in Prevention” program, please visit www.D2L.org/education/partner-in-prevention.
Established in 1788, Thalian Association Community Theatre is a non-profit, membership organization dedicated to enhancing the Cape Fear region through live community theatre and arts education. Thalian Association Community Theatre produces five major productions annually on the Main Stage at historic Thalian Hall and professionally manages the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center for the City of Wilmington. The youth theatre program offers training and performance opportunities for children ages seven through high school seniors. In 2007, Thalian Association Community Theatre was designated North Carolina’s Official Community Theater by the state legislature. For more information, go to www.thalian.org.
Darkness to Light is a nonprofit organization with the mission to empower adults to prevent child sexual abuse. Through education and awareness, the organization seeks to create a safer world for children to grow and thrive. Darkness to Light’s flagship program, Stewards of Children®, is a one-of-a-kind, award-winning training that teaches adults to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. More than 1.4 million adults have been trained using the program. For more information, visit www.D2L.org.
