January 2021

Each Day in America for All Children

5 children are killed by abuse or neglect.
8 children or teens die by suicide.
22 children or teens die from accidents.
50 children or teens are injured with a gun.
59 children or teens are injured or killed with a gun.
61 babies die before their first birthday.
126 children are arrested for violent crimes.
248 children are arrested for drug crimes.
589 public school students are corporally punished.*
773 babies are born into extreme poverty.
826 babies are born without health insurance.
860 babies are born with low birthweight.
1,683 babies are born into poverty.
1,844 children are confirmed as abused or neglected.
1,995 children are arrested.
2,956 high school students drop out.*
14,640 public school students are suspended.*

*Based on 180 school days a year

The State of America’s Children 2020, The Children’s Defense Fund

At Project Respect, we have lots of great information to provide youth.  We do that because we think youth deserve every opportunity to chart a path to their futures–one that is greatly improved when they don’t engage in risky activities, like teen sex. The decisions they make about sex can have a significant impact on their physical and emotional health, their relationships, and their future lives.

Sexual Risk Avoidance is an educational approach based on the public health model of primary prevention to empower youth to avoid ALL the risks of sexual activity.

Good News: The Majority of Teens are Listening

And they are responding by waiting for sex. In fact, more are waiting today than at any other time in recent history. Ascend thinks parents, policy-makers, and sex education classes should support the healthiest choices for youth, both now and in the future. Ascend represents those who agree.

We Don’t Intend to Give Up. Not on Youth.

And not on their access to the skills, information, and encouragement to avoid all sexual activity, hopefully until they marry. We believe that helping teens eliminate – not simply reduce – sexual risk, is the right thing to do.

Because we believe where youth live or what their current reality looks like should not exclude them from the tools for the best possible health outcomes and future success.