by Irene van der Zande, Kidpower Founder and Executive Director | Oct 9, 2018
Let me share with you a personal story on this hot button issue. Many of you know that the inspiration for starting Kidpower happened in 1985, when I protected a group of young children, including my own two, from a man who was threatening to kidnap them. One life-changing action I did after this was […]
by Irene van der Zande, Kidpower Founder and Executive Director | Jul 14, 2016
Learning about consent isn’t just about sex. Children can start to learn the following Kidpower safety rules for safety with touch as soon as they can talk, and these rules stay relevant throughout their lives: Touch or games for play, teasing, and affection should be safe, ok with each person, allowed by the adults in charge, and not a secret.
by Irene van der Zande, Kidpower Founder and Executive Director | Apr 16, 2013
15-year-old Audrie Potts from Saratoga, California, took her life after expressing her despair online about being sexually assaulted and cyberbullied. Her parents only found these messages when searching for reasons after her death. According to some estimates, teens spend half their lives online. These electronic worlds are too dangerous for our kids to live in without the knowledge and guidance of the adults who love them.
Too many times, adults don’t discover online messages about cyberbullying, parties with heavy drinking, or warning signs of despair or violence until after something terrible has happened, when the opportunity to take protective action is gone.
by Beth McGreevy | Jan 6, 2012
The FBI and the Department of Justice have finally expanded the definition of the crime of rape to include the sexual assaults of men, children and any adult who cannot give consent to sex. Though I hate the idea that anyone would experience this or any kind of violence in their lives, it is important to define it accurately in our statistics, so we can work more effectively to prevent this terrible crime.
Kidpower has been committed to teaching people of all ages and walks of life how to prevent and deter violence since 1989 and we hope this newly expanded definition at the highest levels will translate not just into expanded statistics, but also – and more important – into positive action to address and prevent rape at every level of society.