CSA PREVENTION FOR CHILD BASED ORGANIZATIONS
Stewards of Children®
A child sexual abuse prevention training for adults.
A program of Darkness to Light — delivered by Colleen Mullowney, Authorized Facilitator & SSTA AWARE Founder
​
Child safety is an adult's job. Stewards of Children® is the only nationally distributed, evidence-based child sexual abuse prevention training proven to change adult knowledge, attitudes, and behavior — and Colleen brings a dimension to this training that no other facilitator can: the perspective of a survivor who has lived what this training exists to prevent.
​
​
​
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
What is Stewards of Children®?
Stewards of Children® is the flagship training program of Darkness to Light, a national nonprofit dedicated to ending child sexual abuse. It is one of the only adult-focused child sexual abuse prevention programs in the United States that has been rigorously evaluated and proven to increase knowledge, improve attitudes, and change child-protective behaviors in participants.
The program is built on a fundamental premise: child safety is an adult's responsibility. It does not focus on teaching children to protect themselves — it focuses on equipping the adults in children's lives with the awareness, language, and practical tools to create safe environments and respond effectively when something goes wrong.
"Child sexual abuse is preventable. The key is educated, empowered adults who are willing to act."
— Darkness to Light
Through interviews with survivors, experts, and treatment providers, Stewards of Children® delivers practical, evidence-informed content in a two-hour session that is direct, accessible, and designed to move people from awareness to action. It was significantly updated in 2023 to reflect the latest research, technology considerations, and survivor perspectives.
Colleen delivers this training as a Darkness to Light Authorized Facilitator — and brings a dimension to the program that no printed curriculum can: her own lived experience as a survivor of sibling sexual abuse, and a specific focus on the forms of childhood sexual abuse most often left out of the conversation.
​
WHAT THE TRAINING COVERS
The 7 Steps to Protecting Our Children
​
-
​Learn the Facts
-
Minimize Opportunity
-
Talk About It
-
Recognize Signs
-
React Responsibly
-
Get Involved
-
Support Survivors
WHY IT WORKS
The program integrates the principles of choice, consciousness, and personal power to move participants from passive concern to active child protection.
​
Real stories from survivors and experts are woven throughout — creating emotional resonance alongside practical knowledge. Participants don't just learn what child sexual abuse is. They learn what they can do about it, starting now.
​
The curriculum is direct about holding each adult accountable, while being generous in providing the specific support and tools people need to actually change their behavior.
