This article reflects the viewpoints and experiences of the contributing individual(s) and/or organizations.
Content Warning(s): sexual violence against children
Did you know that when a young person experiences sexual violence, they tend to disclose to a friend first? In the U.S., studies by Child USA reveal that 66% of child sexual abuse among adolescents aged 10-17 goes unreported to adults at the time of abuse. There is a critical gap in the current child sexual abuse prevention and response space.
That’s why ChildFund – in partnership with Protect Children and 20 other leading youth-serving and child sexual abuse support organizations – launched a new website for April’s National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The first of its kind in the United States, the site is focused on supporting children as they navigate helping friends disclose sexual abuse to a safe adult. Originally started by Protect Children in Finland, #MyFriendToo addresses critical gaps in awareness, education and protection.
Wanting to introduce this resource to children and adults in the U.S., ChildFund International brought together a committee of dedicated experts and child- and youth-serving organizations, who volunteered their time to contextualize the innovative tool for a U.S. audience. #MyFriendToo US was also reviewed by survivors, young people, cybercrime specialists and psychosocial support professionals to ensure it represented lived experience and the latest trends and research.
The website is designed to provide children, caregivers and educators with the tools they need to respond safely and appropriately to suspected and confirmed cases of sexual violence, educate children about their rights, and help to connect children to critical support services and a direct pathway to help. This tool is a significant step forward to create safer environments for children, both online and offline. When young people visit MyFriendTooUS.org, they are reminded that they are never alone – help is always here.
“#MyFriendToo US is designed with and for children and young people in America, with the primary goal of being useful to them. When a friend helps another disclose sexual abuse to a trusted adult, it involves heavy emotions and a sense of responsibility around a challenging topic. The tone is crucial. Now, when a young person visits #MyFriendToo US, it’s like an older sibling cheering them on, saying, ‘You are not alone, you’ve come to the right place, and there is help available,” said Coco Lammers, End OSEAC U.S. Policy Director at ChildFund International.
#MyFriendToo is more than a website – it’s a vital tool to help young people stand together to end sexual violence. Together, friends can make a difference.
We invite you to join us in sharing #MyFriendToo US with peer organizations, parents, educators and young people in your life so they know how to help a friend disclose child sexual abuse to a trusted adult.
