The Mama Bear Effect is a nonprofit organization changing the way people think, talk, and respond to child sexual abuse.
The Mama Bear Effect® was established in 2013 in response to the perceived need for down-to-earth awareness and prevention education that was not only accessible but inspiring. Child sexual abuse is not necessarily an epidemic because abusers are so effective at perpetrating, but because the taboo, and consequent discomfort and fear, hold protective adults back from being aware, effectively empowering children, and responding appropriately.
Prevention education should be accessible & engaging
During the initial months of our advocacy work, we found that there were many people who wanted to not only learn how to protect their children, but raise awareness within their own community. We made it our mission to create free downloads, social media PSAs, and low-cost printed materials to help others – from individual advocates to fellow nonprofits inspiring change within their communities. No one organization or advocate can solve this issue, it is essential to empower and support those committed to being a voice for defending the innocent.
Our Mission
The Mama Bear Effect empowers adults to protect children from sexual abuse by raising awareness and sharing prevention education.
There are many misconceptions regarding this issue, specifically:
- the reality of child sexual abuse – occurrence, offenders, scenarios
- risk factors that permit child sexual abuse to exist in our society today
- prevention methods to deter abusers and detect & cease abuse that is occurring
- how society handles disclosures of abuse – often failing to support survivors, and instead – defending abusers and minimizing their actions
- failures of the justice system, protective services, and family court
The Mama Bear Effect works diligently and endlessly to expose the reality of child sexual abuse and put an end to dangerous misconceptions.
We believe that all good people have a “Mama Bear” instinct – a desire to protect innocent children from a harm greater than what they could ever imagine. A willingness to face our fears, overpower our desire to turn away from such evil, and conquer the ignorance that clouds our understanding of how child sexual abuse exists and is afflicting our nation and world.
Who is a ‘Mama Bear’ or ‘Papa Bear’?
- A parent who has an incredible inner strength and sense of courage, often previously unbeknownst to the subject before having children, unleashed when any child, not necessarily his/her own, is considered to be at risk of injury or harm.
- Any person who, when a child is in pain, feels their pain, and is willing to go above and beyond to protect the children of this world.
- Someone that is ready to tear down the societal taboo that surrounds child sexual abuse. A person willing to use their voice and energy to educate society on how abuse can be prevented and support the healing of survivors after abuse.
Our History & Successes
- April 2014 planted the first pinwheel garden in our home community of Burlington Massachusetts to honor April as Child Abuse Prevention Month
- September 2014 introduced our first Parent Pack of brochures with age-by-age guide for parents and caregivers
- January 2015 coordinated our first card campaign for a child preparing to testify in court against their abuser.
- March 2015 officially registered the first awareness ribbon specifically for child sexual abuse.
- April 2015 launched the first annual Tie One to End Abuse Campaign to raise awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month
- April 2015 introduced our 5 Body Safety Rules poster which has since been translated in a number of languages.
- June 2015 founder, Adrianne Simeone, was selected as a ‘Chopps Champion’ to honor her volunteer work and community service.
- 2016 launched the ItHappened.me blog project to share survivors stories of hurt, healing, and hope.
- 2018 released our first published children’s book, My Body is Special and Private, an Amazon bestseller for child abuse and child safety.
- 2021 launched resources for families of children with disabilities.
- 2023 released our first Spanish children’s book, Mi Cuerpo es Especial y Privado.
- 2023 launched our Pediatrics page along with Pediatric Kits to support abuse prevention education in medical centers.
