Child Abuse Prevention Programs

Child Abuse Prevention

Child Abuse Prevention is the National Exchange Club’s signature project—and a core mission of the Duneland Exchange Club (DXC). In support of this vital effort, DXC partners with Dunebrook, a respected local organization, to bring a variety of prevention and education programs to schools throughout the Duneland community.

Below are the programs we proudly support. To learn more about Dunebrook and its impact, visit dunebrook.org.

Child Abuse Hotline

One Indiana Story of A Baby's Death by Abuse

A 1-month-old girl died from head injuries. She lived with her parents. On the day the child was taken to the hospital, the father stated he fed the child and noticed she quit moving and was struggling to breathe. The child was found to have brain injuries consistent with being shaken. The child never regained consciousness and died two days later. The parents initially denied knowledge of how the child could have been injured. The parents reported the child had not been waking up to eat and at one point slept for 20 hours. At autopsy, the child was found to have subdural and retinal hemorrhages and blunt-force injury to the head. The father later admitted to shaking the child when she would not stop crying and to dropping the child on concrete a few days prior.

Source: Indiana Department of Child Services

Child Abuse Signs and Symptoms

Body Safety

In 2008, the Duneland Exchange Club (DXC) partnered with Dunebrook to introduce its Body Safety program to students in Kindergarten through 5th grade across schools in the Duneland area. This essential program teaches children how to recognize unsafe situations and empowers them with the tools to protect their bodies and seek help if needed.

According to the Child Molestation Research & Prevention Institute, 95% of child maltreatment is preventable through education. Dunebrook’s Body Safety Program directly supports that mission by:

Educating and empowering children to understand personal boundaries, recognize unsafe behavior, and know whom they can talk to if something happens.
Training parents, educators, and other caring adults on how to prevent, recognize, and respond appropriately to signs of abuse.
Reducing stigma and silence by encouraging open, age-appropriate conversations about body safety and abuse prevention.

The program is designed to be non-threatening, age-appropriate, and evidence-based. It is widely used across Indiana schools, giving children the confidence to speak up, set boundaries, and stay safe. Importantly, it helps prevent abuse by making children less vulnerable—perpetrators are far less likely to target children who are informed, confident, and able to act.

Stewards for Children

In 2017, the Duneland Exchange Club (DXC) expanded its partnership with Dunebrook by increasing financial support to bring the Stewards of Children program to educators and staff within the Duneland school system.

This nationally recognized, evidence-informed training equips adults with the knowledge and tools to help keep children safe from sexual abuse.

As described by Dunebrook, “Keeping children safe is the responsibility of adults.”

Stewards of Children is a 2.5-hour training that educates adults on the facts about child sexual abuse and teaches them how to prevent, recognize, and respond appropriately to potential warning signs.

In addition, the program provides guidance for school personnel on how to respond effectively to suspicions, disclosures, or third-party reports—such as those made by another student—ensuring appropriate action is taken with care and confidence.

Education Matters

Education is especially vital for girls, who face a significantly higher risk of sexual abuse than boys. According to Dr. David Finkelhor, Director of the Crimes Against Children Research Center, girls are four times more likely than boys to be sexually abused. The National Sexual Violence Resource Center reports that 91% of rape and sexual assault victims are female (Rennison, 2002).

The consequences are far-reaching. Sexually abused girls are 2.2 times more likely to become teen mothers compared to their non-abused peers (Noll & Putnam, 2009). The risk extends into adulthood—more than one-third of women who were raped before the age of 18 go on to experience rape again later in life (Black et al., 2010).

Early, consistent exposure to safety education is one of the most effective tools we have. Children are most vulnerable between the ages of 7 and 13 (Finkelhor, 1994). Prevention programs that are revisited year after year help children retain what they’ve learned, recognize unsafe situations, and—most importantly—find the courage to speak up.

Teen Safety Matters

The Duneland Exchange Club (DXC) further expanded its support of Dunebrook’s prevention efforts by funding abuse prevention education for middle and high school students in the Duneland area.

As described by Dunebrook: Teen Safety Matters is an evidence-based program designed to educate students on how to recognize warning signs of unsafe situations and take steps to reduce risks, stay safe, and access help when needed.

The curriculum empowers teens to understand the different forms of abuse and how to protect themselves and others. Topics include:

Physical, emotional, and sexual abuse
Grooming and bullying
Online safety and consent
Relationship abuse
Human and sex trafficking
How to disclose abuse and seek support

By bringing these critical conversations into the classroom, DXC and Dunebrook are helping students build awareness, resilience, and the confidence to take action in the face of potential danger.

Blue Ribbon Campaign

Every April, Child Abuse Prevention Month is recognized across the country with the symbol of a blue ribbon—a powerful reminder of the bruises many children endure from abuse. This national awareness campaign began with Bonnie Finney, a grieving grandmother who tied a blue ribbon to her car antenna after the tragic loss of her grandson to abuse. Her story sparked a movement. Read Bonnie’s story

The Duneland Exchange Club (DXC) proudly participates in raising awareness throughout our communities by:

Displaying banners and a giant blue ribbon in prominent Duneland locations
Decorating a blue-themed Christmas tree in downtown Chesterton each December to keep child abuse prevention top of mind year-round

These efforts help spark conversations, build awareness, and remind our community that every child deserves to be safe, supported, and heard.

Programs