Abuse prevention training for schools and staff

Be the voice that helps a child in our community

Providing prevention education to 40,000+ students across 91 schools

Susie’s Place is serving over 40,000 students across 14 school corporations in west-central Indiana with prevention education programming. That’s over 91 schools where a child abuse prevention expert from Susie’s Place is helping kids understand:

  • What are safe and unsafe touches,
  • How to talk about what makes you uncomfortable,
  • Warning signs of child abuse and sexual assault,
  • And how to respond and trust a safe adult.

Donations from contributors like you can help offset the costs of these programs and provide funding for area schools. You can amplify their impact and help us reach more students in more schools with age-appropriate education by making a donation.

Prevention education is different for different age groups

Children icon

For children

Prevention is all about educating young kids about their bodies and understanding when touching—like a hug or kiss—is safe or goes too far. This program helps kids understand their bodies in an age-appropriate way.

Teens icon

For teens and youth

Older kids and teens might understand sexual health, but may not understand how perpetrators groom themselves or friends into a victim. This program helps them know the signs and find a trusted, safe adult.

Adults icon

For adults

Adults can learn what to do if a child tells you they have been abused and how to react. We also teach you how to identify signs abuse may be happening in a child’s life. This program is perfect for anyone who works around kids.

Cover of the kNot Today Foundation's parents and caregivers guide

Not sure how or where to start talking with your kids?

Download this free guide from our partners at kNot Today. kNot Today is a foundation established by Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich dedicated to ending child abuse.

This guide contains smart strategies and ideas for parents and caregivers to talk about abuse, how to come forward, develop trust, and more.

[PDF document, 360Kb]

Susie’s Place staff train with two evidence-backed prevention programs

Adult prevention education with Stewards of Children

A program by Darkness to Light® Stewards of Children for adults seeking to know the signs of abuse, how to react if and when a child discloses abuse, and how to approach children you suspect may need help.

Adult Prevention Education Cover
Body Safety+ Cover


Body Safety Plus program for children and teens

A program by the Monique Burr Foundation Child and Teen Safety Matters designed
exclusively for schools and youth group leaders. This course helps kids and teens
understand safe body boundaries, what is and isn’t appropriate, sexual health and
positive behaviors, and how to come forward to disclose suspected abuse.

Research shows how prevention education helps stop perpetrators

New research from the University of Evansville shows prevention education may not significantly increase the number of children who come forward and disclose abuse.

But those who do and have also taken part in prevention education are far more likely to be detailed and specific in their disclosures. This helps law enforcement and prosecutors in the course of an investigation.

Learn more at the Indiana Chapter’s website

Classroom instruction during 5 safety body rules discussion
Teen using a laptop

Keep your kids safe online with these helpful guides

SmartSocial.com has this handout (PDF) of positive, neutral, and
dangerous apps for kids.

The MBF Foundation has advice for maintaining safe social digital distance.

Parents looking for materials to help kids learn about digital safety can look to Netsmartz by missingkids.org

Caregivers can also find age-based guidelines for Internet Safety at internetsafety101.org.

Parents unsure about how or when to talk about puberty, sex, and technology can find a guide at parents.thorn.org.

The Internet spans national and global law enforcement jurisdictions! Please report any instances of online exploitation of a child including misleading links or websites to The National Center for
Missing and Exploited Children CyberTipline.

Report online or by phone at 1-800-843-5678

“The students seem very engaged and it stimulated a great deal of conversation about the important topics.”
— School counselor

Meet our prevention education training team

prevention trainers web
The Susie’s Place Prevention Education Team
Candace Balzano

Candace Balzano

Education and Outreach Program Manager

Madelynn Cooper

Madelynn Cooper

Prevention Education Program Coordinator

Danna Graham

Danna Graham

Education and Outreach Administrative Coordinator

Questions? Contact our Program Manager directly.

Email candace@susiesplace.org or call 317-995-7140

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