History
Our Journey Begins
The origins of Committee for Children trace to the streets, where cultural anthropologist Dr. Jennifer James sought to identify the risk factors in the lives of children who turn to prostitution. Dr. James's groundbreaking work at the University of Washington in Seattle established that early sexual abuse was linked strongly to later prostitution.
As a response, Dr. James founded Judicial Advocates for Women to sustain an avenue for research and child sexual abuse prevention. In 1981, the group produced the TALKING ABOUT TOUCHING program, a personal safety and sexual abuse prevention curriculum that is still in use today.
Birth of the SECOND STEP Program
The name Committee for Children was adopted in 1986, the same year the SECOND STEP program was published. The SECOND STEP program expanded on concepts explored in the TALKING ABOUT TOUCHING program by going beyond the explanation and identification of abuse. This new program stressed development of empathy, impulse control, problem solving, and anger management to help children avoid violent behavior.
Committee for Children Takes on Bullying
The 1990s saw a frightening rise in child-on-child violence, most notably the Columbine massacre in Colorado. These horrifying incidents drew unprecedented attention to school safety and bullying in the United States. Studies revealed that the consequences of bullying were wide-ranging, including psychological harm to bystanders and declines in academic achievement.
In response, Committee for Children researchers developed a third program, the innovative STEPS TO RESPECT curriculum, designed to reduce bullying. The organization recognized that rather than asking student to shoulder the burden of bullying prevention, all of the members of a school community can work together to create a safe and respectful school environment.
Research and Accolades
In the decade between 1995 and 2005, a surge of research by academic institutions, the government, and others affirmed Committee for Children approaches. In 1997, a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed a decrease in classroom disruption where SECOND STEP teachings were applied.
During this period, Committee for Children was accorded "Exemplary" status by the federal departments of Education, Justice, and Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The White House and CASEL-a renowned institute dedicated to social and emotional learning-have also honored Committee for Children programs.
An Enduring Mission
The mission of Committee for Children today has not strayed from the goals of its founders. Its programs are still research-based and school-driven. They are routinely scrutinized, tested, and improved.
Today Committee for Children programs are offered in 21 countries, at 25,000 schools, to more than 7 million children. Schools in nations and regions as diverse as the United Kingdom, Japan, Norway, and Kurdistan use the SECOND STEP, STEPS TO RESPECT, and TALKING ABOUT TOUCHING programs. Committee for Children continues to work with these and other partners to achieve a common vision: safe children thriving in a peaceful world.