NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICE ORGANIZATION LAUNCHES "#DONTTOUCHME" MOVEMENT TO END CHILD ABUSE AND ADVOCATE FOR JUSTICE SYSTEM REFORMS

Initial supporters are Alternatives for Girls, Authority Health, Black Family Development, Dunamis Charge, Franklin Wright Settlements, Detroit Service Learning District, SASHA Center, BLOOM Transformation Center, The Yunion, and Community Health and Social Services (CHASS); effort seeks required training, changes in laws, increase in predator prosecution

, /PRNewswire/ -- Every 9 minutes, a child in the U.S. is sexually assaulted – yet too often, justice never comes. Today, the Neighborhood Service Organization (NSO) launches #DontTouchMe, a bold global movement demanding accountability and systemic change for survivors of child abuse.

As the movement kicks off, NSO is offering children and families impacted by domestic and sexual violence access to same-day and next-day support services via its four clinics. Appointments can be made by calling 1-888-360-WELL.

One of the first priorities of the movement is addressing the need for required trauma-informed, age-specific training for law enforcement officers, abuse investigators and judges. This is a fundamental solution that can have far-reaching benefits to hold perpetrators accountable. Effective training must focus not only on protocols but also on implicit bias, harm-doer manipulation and the unique barriers faced by children of color.

Each year, there are more than 600,000 reported children suffering abuse or neglect, with 76 percent of perpetrators being a parent (Children's Bureau, 2023). Despite these alarming numbers, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center reports that only 20 percent of reported child abuse cases lead to an arrest or prosecution of the abuser, leaving victims with a lifetime of trauma-related issues and allowing perpetrators to continue harming children. The #DontTouchMe movement is dedicated to protecting the constitutional rights of children to live free from harm by raising awareness and advocating for systemic reforms that too often fail survivors in their pursuit of justice.

While the #DontTouchMe movement is aimed at justice for survivors, it will also support those working in the legal system. Law enforcement, child protective services and legal professionals need the information and tools to recognize and respond appropriately to the complex ways children process and disclose trauma. Predators groom, manipulate and silence victims – and if investigators don't understand these dynamics, children will continue to be failed by the system.

Key reforms being pursued by #DontTouchMe include:

• Stronger legal protections for children reporting abuse
• Required training for law enforcement and abuse investigators on abuse and age-specific trauma responses in children
• Stricter penalties for convicted abusers
• Integrated investigations among law enforcement, justice system and protective agencies handling abuse cases, with independent oversight

"We sometimes forget that behind every headline is a child whose life has been irrevocably altered due to the impact of sexual or physical abuse," said Linda Little, president and CEO of Neighborhood Service Organization (NSO). "This movement is for individuals like Detroiters Na'Ziyah Harris, the 13-year-old who was sexually assaulted, kidnapped and murdered in 2024, and the 12-year-old child who bravely came forward about inappropriate text messages from her stepfather, a police officer. This is not just a Detroit issue; it is a national epidemic that cannot be left unchecked."

Little also cites recent incidents making headlines across the country, including the New Orleans Clergy Abuse Scandal, where emails indicated executives from major sports teams collaborated with the New Orleans Roman Catholic archdiocese to mitigate negative media coverage of a clergy-abuse scandal, and the case of an Oregon School principal failing to report abuse complaints against teachers. A startling follow-up by KGW News revealed 60 teachers in Oregon had their licenses revoked for sexual conduct with students over the last 6 years.

 Added Little, "This is a national epidemic that can't be left unchecked."

The movement was founded by Little, who herself is a survivor of abuse and has fought to bring justice for her daughter. Her personal experience with both the trauma of abuse and the failures of the justice system inspired her to take action.

"Too many survivors are blamed, silenced, dismissed or retraumatized by a system that should be protecting them," said Little. "The voices and stories of these children is our call to action—to bring the flaws in our system to light and fight for the changes needed to hold abusers accountable."

As part of the campaign, NSO is encouraging the entire community to come together for children–business leaders, survivors, advocates and policymakers–to join the movement by sharing their stories and supporting legislative reforms that prioritize the safety and justice of children. There is already growing support from organizations who serve children and families. Supporters can join the movement at DontTouchMe.wiki to join the movement and download the digital toolkit and/or donate to the campaign.

"We must do better for our children," added Little. "Every child has the right to be safe, to be heard and to receive justice. '#DontTouchMe' is more than a campaign—it's a movement for change."

Initial supporters of #DontTouchMe include Alternatives for Girls, Authority Health, Black Family Development, Dunamis Charge, Franklin Wright Settlements, Detroit Service Learning District, SASHA Center, BLOOM Transformation Center, The Yunion, and Community Health and Social Services (CHASS).

For more information about the "#DontTouchMe" movement, receive the digital toolkit, get involved or to make a donation, visit www.DontTouchMe.wiki, https://NSO-Mi.org, or follow NSO on social media at @NSO-Detroit.

About Neighborhood Service Organization
Neighborhood Service Organization (NSO), a Detroit-based integrated health and human service agency, delivers community-based services and holistic programs for vulnerable populations. The agency provides behavioral health and primary care services, in addition to wraparound services that address barriers to housing, health and well-being. NSO serves 12,000 people annually in Wayne and Oakland counties. Learn more by visiting www.NSO-MI.org. For more information and to discuss partnership opportunities with NSO Contact [email protected].  

SOURCE Neighborhood Service Organization