About Us

Since 1992, Stop It Now! has equipped adults to prevent child sexual abuse. Through innovative programming based on a public health model, Now! has shown that:

1. Adults will act to prevent abuse if they have access to accurate information, practical tools, guidance and support.
2. Families will intervene and seek help when they see problematic behaviors in their children.
3. Communities will mobilize around prevention initiatives, including efforts that address the complexities of abuse closer to home.

Today, we are a leading expert on building awareness of the scope of sexual abuse, developing and widely distributing prevention tools for adults and families, and advocating for both compassion and accountability. Every year, we answer thousands of Helpline contacts, train thousands of adults, and reach more than 1 million people with our website.

Our Mission

Stop It Now! prevents the sexual abuse of children by mobilizing adults, families and communities to take actions that protect children before they are harmed.

We provide support, information and resources to keep children safe and create healthier communities. Since 1992, we have identified, refined and shared effective ways for individuals, families and communities to act to prevent child sexual abuse before children are harmed - and to get help for everyone involved.

Our Vision

Adults engage in respectful, caring behavior with children and other adults to create safe, stable, and nurturing relationships for all children. Children grow up free of trauma from any form of violence including sexual abuse and exploitation.

Our Philosophy

Stop It Now! was founded on the belief that adults are in the best position to keep children safe from sexual abuse. By adults, we mean parents, survivors, family members, law enforcement, and professionals of all types. We also believe that people who might sexually abuse a child have an important role to play in prevention. We are the only organization of our kind, directly challenging all adults to take full responsibility for ending sexual abuse.

Challenging individuals to hold themselves accountable is an important and bold first step towards stopping the sexual abuse of children. But it is not enough. We must broaden the notion of adult responsibility to inspire families and communities to push for a corresponding change in societal attitudes and government policies. As a society, we cannot identify effective solutions until we have the courage to face the real problem—people we care about who have lost control.

Our Programs

Help Services - Provides direct help to individuals with questions or concerns about child sexual abuse. We offer help for specific situations through a confidential national prevention Helpline (1.888.PREVENT), email and chat services, an interactive Online Help Center, and our “Ask Now!” advice column.

Prevention Education - Develops, assesses, and distributes educational materials through our website, publications, trainings, events and media campaigns. These help laypeople and professionals recognize harmful behavior and know how to take action – including where to get resources.

Technical Assistance and Training (Circles of Safety) – Provides consulting and brings our Circles of Safety training services on strategies, policies, and practices for preventing child sexual abuse to professionals, youth-serving organizations, coalitions, and community-based programs. 

Prevention Advocacy - Advocates for the sexual abuse of children to be addressed as a public health priority, encourages increased investment in a full range of prevention strategies, and provides evidence-based information to media, policymakers and advocacy groups.