I recently completed an alarming but beneficial training on how to identify child sexual abuse.  The organization is D2L and their mission is to “To Empower People to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse.”

I walked away from that training with these words ringing in my ear. Who is listening to the voice of our children? Who will speak up for our children? If adults won’t or can’t do it, who will?

Then I was reminded of the chorus of Yolanda Adams’s song “What About the Children” that says,

What about the children
To ignore is so easy
So many innocent children will choose the wrong way
So what about the children
Remember when we were children
And if not for those who loved us and who cared enough to show us
Where would we be today

As the lyrics say, “and if not for those who loved us and who cared enough to show us, where would be today.”  Let’s give our children the chance to experience a childhood filled with laughter, lots of fun, and an environment that allows them to dream!

No matter our role (parent, educator, nurse, coach, etc.), we have an obligation to protect our children from those whose agenda is to take advantage of our youth.

Let’s use our intuition and if something doesn’t appear as it seems, or policies are being compromised, let’s make the conscious choice to speak on behalf of children.

They are counting on us to be their voice.