This April, take the time to protect those who matter most

April is a significant month as it marks both National Child Abuse Awareness and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Shocking statistics reveal the alarming prevalence of sexual violence in our society, affecting individuals of all ages and backgrounds. It is crucial to raise awareness, promote education, and foster proactive conversations to prevent sexual abuse and assault.

The statistics surrounding sexual violence are staggering. According to the Centers for Disease Control, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds, with more than 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men experiencing sexual violence. Vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and adults with disabilities, are at even higher risk making it essential to address this issue comprehensively.

Child sexual abuse is a particularly distressing aspect of this problem. High-profile cases involving trusted individuals within communities have become all too common. Shockingly, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys will experience sexual abuse before the age of 18. These statistics highlight the urgent need for effective prevention strategies and partnerships with organizations dedicated to enacting them.

Organizations and institutions where sexual abuse incidents occur are not only responsible for the well-being of their members but also face the risk of litigation. Negligent supervision, reporting failures, inadequate screening and hiring practices, and understaffing situations can all contribute to legal consequences.

These consequences can be far-reaching as well. Because of several massive claims related to sexual abuse, carriers are prioritizing risk control practices when writing coverage. They aim to ensure policies, screening protocols, training requirements, and supervision practices are in place. They also want to see that best practice recommendations are being followed to mitigate sexual abuse risk.

Working with the right partner can help organizations understand where these vulnerabilities lie and what they can do to address them. The first step is being aware of the issue.

Raising awareness and promoting education are indeed vital steps in preventing sexual abuse and assault. Organizations such as the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, companies, universities, and cities across the U.S. advocate for wearing or displaying the color teal during April. This color represents togetherness, empowerment, advocacy, and learning, symbolizing the collective effort needed to create safer communities.

Each of us has a role to play in preventing sexual abuse and assault. It starts with a commitment to challenge societal norms and protect vulnerable individuals. Increasing knowledge and initiating proactive conversations about vulnerabilities within organizations are critical steps toward creating safe and protective environments for all.

Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA) understands the importance of finding solutions to specialized risk issues. Through a partnership with Praesidium, MMA offers access to various sexual abuse risk mitigation services.

Praesidium is the national leader in organizational abuse risk management and has over 30 years of experience serving more than 4,000 clients. Its dedicated team of researchers, attorneys, social workers, and human resource professionals has analyzed thousands of cases of abuse in organizations and synthesized the latest scientific research. Praesidium has extensive knowledge of how abuse happens in organizations and, more importantly, how to prevent it.

By implementing this valuable education about prevention and risk mitigation techniques, organizations may reduce the likelihood of sexual abuse and protect themselves from costly claims, higher insurance costs, and damage to both their reputation and community trust.

April serves as a reminder of the urgent need to address sexual abuse and assault. By fostering proactive conversations, we can work toward creating safer communities for everyone. Organizations such as Praesidium and Marsh McLennan Agency play a crucial role in providing risk mitigation services and helping organizations protect themselves and their members. We can help with multiple aspects of prevention, including:

• Creating protective environments through education and prevention techniques
• Engaging in proactive conversations to address vulnerabilities and strengthen protective environments or those designed to safeguard vulnerable children
• Implementing risk mitigation strategies, including proper supervision and reporting
• Raising awareness to create safer communities

Reach out to a Marsh McLennan Agency colleague today to learn more about services offered through the partnership with Praesidium.