NOVA is part of an initiative to train 5% of Bucks County adults in CSA awareness and prevention.
We’re on our way — help us keep going!
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About NOVA & CSA Prevention
Become an Advocate
CSA Stoppers in Bucks County
Our Local Advocates Say "Not On My Watch"
“We declare that the tragedy of child sexual abuse will not be tolerated in any way on our watch, and that we commit the visibility and reach of our offices to assist in the eradication of this horrific crime.”
MATT WEINTRAUB
Bucks County District Attorney
The quarter century I’ve spent prosecuting Bucks County’s most heinous crimes has taught me it’ll take all of us to bring those who hurt children to justice.
DIANE M. ELLIS-MARSEGLIA, LCSW
Chair, Bucks County Commissioners
As a clinical social worker, I know changing the statistics will take all of us, and I am fully committed to helping the County realize this important goal.
ROBERT J. HARVIE, JR.
Vice Chair, Bucks County Commissioners
As a former educator, I know Mandated Reporter training is already a requirement. I also know it’s not nearly enough to change the statistics.
GENE DiGIROLAMO
Bucks County Commissioners
After 25 years advocating for children as a Pennsylvania state lawmaker, I know it takes everyone to make a difference.
WHAT ARE CSA STOPPERS?
When we leave it up to kids to tell us the’ve been sexually abused, we let predators control the conversation. To combat efforts to silence or groom children, we’ve collected 10 of our CSA Stoppers Rules. You’ll learn these and more in the 2-hour free webinar training.
1. Be the child’s voice.
2. The right time to teach kids about abuse is any time.
3. Don’t give body parts nicknames. Teach the proper names for body parts. Nicknames can create confusion.
4. Dresser drawers stay closed. Bedroom doors stay open.
5. Trust your “gut” feeling – your instincts are telling you something.
6. Children have the right to say NO to receiving unwanted touch — by anyone.
7. Allow children to decide who they want to show affection to – hugs are not mandatory.
8. Teach kids that healthy relationships have surprises, not secrets.
9. Respect boundaries — high fives, not hugs.
10. Two adults to one child, in all youth-serving settings.
There’s much more to learn. Get trained to join a growing group of CSA Stoppers in Bucks County and learn what you can do to protect all children in your life.
About NOVA and the CSA Prevention Program
Since 1974, Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA) has served as Bucks County’s center for victim services, crisis support, community education, and prevention programs. NOVA is dedicated to reducing the incidence of crime through prevention education programs for Bucks County schools, community groups and professionals.
NOVA has joined forces with Penn State University, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Deliquency, and other local organizations for the Safe and Healthy Communities Initiative, designed to reduce the rates of child sexual abuse through evidence-based programs.
The goal: train 5% of adults in Bucks County by 2021.
The two-hour training, entitled Darkness to Light: Stewards of Children, is available to all Bucks County adults at no charge. Attend one of our scheduled trainings at a location convenient to you, or contact us to bring the training to your workplace, school, organization, or place of worship.
Can’t attend an in-person training?
Complete the program online!
Penny Ettinger, NOVA’s Executive Director, and Grace Wheeler, County Coordinator for the Safe and Healthy Communities Initiative, spoke about CSA prevention on NBC10 @ Issues.
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What Our Neighbors Are Saying
It presented me with real-life examples and concrete steps to take to reduce child sexual abuse."
Thank you for helping us work to end Child Sexual Abuse in Bucks County!
PCCD Subgrant
This project was supported by PCCD Subgrant # 2017-ES-IA-27956, awarded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). The opinions, findings and conclusions expressed within this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of PCCD.
