Good news and insightful updates on trends - that’s the theme of this month’s newsletter!Â
First, we are excited to share that Parent to Child will continue to be a safe and nurturing place for children and families referred by the Dane County Department of Human Services, to interact and work toward healthy relationships, for at least the next five years - a continuation of an almost decade long contract!Â
That’s not all - we’ve been busy! Maybe you saw us at the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Dinner (thanks to Enbridge for offering us a seat at their table); connected at the DAIS Community Resource Fair or saw our post about how we joined forces with Wisconsin CASA and two other county programs to advocate for more support for children who we now know have likely experienced more than one victimization before entering the system.Â
Don’t stop here, we still have to talk about:Â
🖥️ How AI Child Sexual Abuse Material (sometimes referred to as AI Porn) Impacts Children | Be in the know and discuss dangers on the internet openly - “a bad conversation is better than no conversation.”Â
đź’ś Our Impact | Canopy Center by the numbers - see what we’ve been up to this year!  Â
🪩 Bingo Night! Play & Support CASA | Win big and support court advocacy for children under the protection of the courts - generously sponsored by Bingo Boss, Arbor Green! Save your spot today!Â
🎯 Target Circle | The results are in… and WOW! Canopy Center’s Target shoppers showed up!Â
🧑‍🧒 Madison Rotary Foundation’s Support | Read about how the Innovation Grants Program is powering psychoeducation for parents of crime victims.Â
📲 This Month’s Best Social Posts | Keep up with Canopy Center on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn!Â
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How AI Child Sexual Abuse Material Impacts Children |
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The rise of AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM) presents new challenges for our community, particularly when it comes to protecting children - a cause that is particularly close to Canopy Center’s Oasis sexual abuse treatment program. Of those convicted for offenses related to child sexual abuse material, 98% either have a prior record of sexually abusing minors or disclosed such actions while undergoing treatment. While lawmakers debate how to address and criminalize the distribution of this type of content, it is crucial for caregivers and youth to be aware of this threat and the potential implications. AI-generated CSAM that mimics or portrays children blurs the line between virtual exploitation and real-world harm, raising concerns about how it could potentially desensitize viewers and normalize inappropriate behavior toward minors. The proliferation of such material also undermines efforts to prevent abuse by making it harder to distinguish between what is real and what is artificial.Â
Through her work on the Attorney General’s Child in Need Task Force, our Executive Director Meaghan Henry is directly involved with looking at how Wisconsin might effectively legislate for such offenses. Under Wisconsin law, AI-generated CSAM is not considered a crime because the images do not depict actual children. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children reports that more than a dozen states have created laws on AI-CSAM, but here in Wisconsin attempts to prosecute are being met with defense based on First Amendment rights.
Teens are especially vulnerable, as they navigate the complexities of social media and digital communication. Sharing nude images has become so common it barely sets off alarms among peers and is often well-hidden from caregivers. This leaves teens susceptible to manipulation and exploitation. What can you do?Â
âś… Reconsider posting images of your children on social media
âś… Stay apprised of online dangers for childrenÂ
âś… Stay on top of the latest technology, games and apps
âś… Discuss the dangers of the internet openly and open (e.g. speak to children about the consequences of images they post online being altered
✅ Make clear to teenagers that “nudify” apps are CSAM
âś… Talk to children about the dangers of sextorion and know what to do in the event of an incident
âś… Utilize existing toolkits and advice
âś… Disseminate information for other caregivers
*List from the UNICRI Centre for AI and Robotics, together with the Bracket Foundation and Value for Good’s new study: Generative AI: A New Threat for Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. Â
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Bingo Night! Play & Support CASAÂ
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Register for Bingo today to hold your spot - support advocacy for children who have experienced abuse and neglect, enjoy a night out and a chance to win prizes from area businesses!Â
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A special thank you to Arbor Green for stepping up to be our presenting sponsor! Arbor Green is a family owned construction company located in Portage, WI. When asked about Arbor Green’s work and their support of Canopy Center’s CASA Program, President Christy Wade said: “We perform work for the Wisconsin DOT, building roads. We’re always looking for good employees who have a CDL; and we’re proud to sponsor this event to help children in our community!”
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ATTENTION TARGET SHOPPERS: Thanks to YOUR overwhelming support, Canopy Center was awarded $5,755.89 through Target Circle’s Guest-Directed Giving Program. It was amazing to see the energy around this program and the outpouring of community engagement.Â
We look forward to putting these dollars to work to strengthen families and support children and youth impacted by trauma and adversity in our community.Â
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Madison Rotary Foundation’s Support  |
The Madison Rotary Foundation’s Innovation Grants Program supports new approaches to community challenges. This year, Canopy Center was awarded a grant to provide pyschoeducation to parents and caregivers of crime victims who are either currently being served by or who are interested in services through our Oasis sexual abuse treatment program. Due to a rise in victimizations and delays in system interventions, the intensity of the cases we are serving is high and the length of time we are providing services is greater than in years past.Â
With dedicated time to provide psychoeducation, Oasis therapists will build a therapeutic relationship with parents and provide them with what they need to support their child. Parents will learn to recognize and respond to their child's needs in ways that promote healing rather than inadvertently causing further harm. When this happens, parents can better reinforce what is happening in therapy - which could shorten the amount of time the child is in treatment and produce more sustainable results.Â
We have also started a list for parents and caregivers interested in psychoeducation groups, which would allow us to reach and support parents whose children are not currently receiving services through Oasis. These groups will also be available to parents whose children are currently receiving services as an additional form of support and community.Â
Thank you, Madison Rotary Foundation, for prioritizing the well-being of families.
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This Month's Best Social Posts |
Do you follow Canopy Center on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn? If not, we’d love your support. Every like, comment and share helps spread awareness of Canopy in the community!Â
Here's what got the most attention this month:Â
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Be a part of the important work Canopy Center does in the community.
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2445 Darwin Road Suite 15 | Madison, WI 53704 US
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