SOAR365 is partnering with the Virginia Department of Health Office of Family Health Services, Injury and Violence Prevention Program (VDH IVPP) and Blue Octopus Consulting on the Inclusive Play and Prevention Initiative Collaborative, a statewide project focused on preventing sexual abuse of youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in social, sports, and recreation settings. To learn more about this important project, and excerpt from the Blue Octopus Consulting press release is available below:
Children with disabilities are three times more likely to experience sexual abuse compared to their non-disabled peers, with even higher risk among those with intellectual disabilities or mental health needs (Vera Institute). This initiative addresses those disparities by providing training and technical assistance and helping organizations build comprehensive prevention approaches.
“As the Commonwealth’s public health agency, our mission is to protect the health and promote the well-being of our children and all Virginians,” said Maria Altonen, VDH IVPP Rape Prevention and Education Director. “This initiative allows us to draw on our resources to ensure that children with intellectual and developmental disabilities are safe and receive the support that they deserve.”
“For too long, youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities have been overlooked in abuse prevention efforts,” said Laura Bennett, Co-Founder and Principal at Blue Octopus Consulting. “This work is about changing that at the community level. We’re helping organizations create the structure, clarity, and commitment it takes to turn prevention into part of the everyday work of supporting and protecting youth.”
Partners include Autism Society Central Virginia, SOAR365, and Wintergreen Adaptive Sports. Supporting community organizations such as Henrico County Recreation and Parks, Jacob’s Chance, Hanover Safe Place, LAWS Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services, and Beyond Boundaries join a diverse and committed group of partners advancing inclusive prevention efforts.
“We’re working hand-in-hand with organizations ready to do more,” said Shelley Sowers, Co-Founder and Principal at Blue Octopus Consulting. “Prevention isn’t about getting it perfect – it’s about being consistent, staying committed, and creating spaces where youth with disabilities feel seen, supported, and safe.”
The collaborative will also support the adaptation and pilot of a disability-specific abuse prevention curriculum to meet the needs of youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The adapted version will be shaped by experts in disability services, individuals with lived experience, and professionals in the field.
Quarterly meetings will bring together stakeholders with professional, personal, or lived experience to provide input, share resources, and support peer learning.
To support this work, Blue Octopus has welcomed Carter Barker as the firm’s new Programs and Partnerships Manager. Carter brings deep expertise in inclusive youth program design, community partnerships, and capacity building for organizations that serve youth with disabilities.
This initiative launches during National Child Abuse Prevention Month (April). Community organizations are encouraged to take meaningful action by:
- Auditing programs for gaps in safety, communication, or accessibility
- Hosting a roundtable or discussion with youth and families on what safety means to them
- Offering training or refreshers for staff and volunteers focused on boundaries, communication, and recognizing signs of abuse
- Embedding prevention strategies into program design, hiring, and evaluation
- Sharing their prevention commitments publicly to model transparency and accountability
For more information or to join the collaborative, email [email protected].
SOAR365 is a nonprofit organization that creates life fulfilling opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Based in Richmond, Virginia, we’ve proudly served Central Virginia for 70 years. We offer Pediatric Therapy, Youth Services, Adult Day Support, Employment Services, Summer Camp, and Respite. No matter the age, we’re here to help. Each year, we serve or employ more than 2,000 people with disabilities. Many of our Business Solutions employees have disabilities, and we’re proud to offer great pay, benefits, and extra support to help them succeed.
Learn more at SOAR365.org or follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.