Virginia Department of Health partners with Stop It Now! in our child
sexual abuse prevention efforts. To see more about what Virginia has
done with Stop It Now!, go to www.vahealth.org/civp/sexualviolence and
click on Stop It Now!
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www.StopItNow.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Deborah Donovan Rice, Stop It Now! Executive Director
drice@... 413-587-3500 ext. 1

New Stop It Now! Online Help Center Provides Information and Action on
Child Sexual Abuse

Northampton, Mass.-(February 4, 2009)-Stop It Now!, a national leader in
child sexual abuse prevention, today launches an Online Help Center for
people with concerns or questions about specific child sexual abuse
situations. The Online Help Center is a private, 24/7 resource
accessible through www.StopItNow.org.

Visitors to the Online Help Center are asked several basic questions
about their concerns. The answers lead to a customized selection of
information and resources. Visitors are not required to reveal any
personally identifiable information to use the site. Those who are under
18 or who
are survivors of abuse are directed to special sections of the Online
Help Center.

Intended for those with personal concerns as well as professionals,
parents, and teachers, this self-guided resource is designed to help
visitors replace fear with confidence. "So many people tell us, 'I had a
gut feeling, and I knew what I was seeing was wrong, but I didn't know
what to do,'" says Dr. Susan Kirby, Stop It Now! board officer. "The
Online Help Center offers validation and gives people the language to
communicate their concerns and take appropriate steps to intervene."

Since 1995, Stop It Now! has run a national, toll-free and confidential,
helpline at 1-888-PREVENT specializing in child sexual abuse prevention
and staffed by trained professionals. "Child abuse is preventable, not
inevitable. The mission of Stop It Now! is to mobilize adults, families,
and communities to protect children before they are harmed," Kirby says.
"Our Online Help Center is another resource in that effort. We are
pleased to play our part in ensuring that all children have healthy
childhoods free from trauma. We hope that people will take some time to
talk to other adults about the importance of protecting all of the
children in their lives."

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Since 1992, Stop It Now! has been helping adults protect children from
sexual abuse. Through its website, national Helpline, materials and
community programs, Stop It Now! provides balanced information and
practical guidance to adults and families so they can keep children safe
in their homes and communities.