The New Jersey Child Assault Prevention, NJCAP, has been empowering local communities of New Jersey to help keep their children safe from peer assault (bullying), abduction and known adult assault for the last twenty-five years. CAP programs are presented with a view of assault as a violation of basic human rights, and a belief that all children have the right to be Safe, Strong and Free.

"Cyber Empowerment", one of NJ CAP's newest programs, offers adult workshops which delve into the cyber world of today's youth. The workshops explore how some electronic communications are opportunities for bullying, bias crimes and violence amongst students. While, these workshops were created in cooperation with the Cyber- Crimes investigation unit of the NJ State Police, the presentation goes beyond stories of strangers lurking on the internet to catch unsuspecting children.  Instead, Cyber Empowerment promotes adults understanding of cyber activity of youth while teaching them realistic ways to help students keep their own rights and guard the rights of others in the cyber-sphere.

Did you know that: 54% of teens have had private online conversations through instant messaging - with 27% saying that their chats have been sexual in nature. 42% of students have been bullied online and 53% have admitted to texting or sending rude, cruel and hurtful messages to others. 20% of teens admit to having posted or sent nude or semi-nude photos/videos of themselves or others. 48% of teens admit receiving these same types of photos/videos 85% of parents are not aware of their children's social networking or online habits or how dangerous they can be.

Cyber- Empowerment encourages schools to make sure that their bullying and sexual harassment policies are user friendly, involve anti-bias components and are integrated in the everyday curricula. The program also teaches school staff to be "trusted adults" to student victims and how to harness the 85% of the school "witness" population. Additionally, it instructs parents on how to advocate for their children in cases where they have been victimized.                      

Learn more by contacting your local Child Assault Prevention (CAP) County Coordinator. Visit contact page on this website.