Message Regarding Our COVID-19 Policies

Safe Shores – The DC Children’s Advocacy Center is committed to being a safe, helpful, and trustworthy resource, available to everyone who needs our services and support. Due to COVID-19, we are observing federal and local government public health protection guidelines. Upon arrival, visitors will complete a COVID-19 screening (questions and temperature check) and may be asked to wear a mask. If you have recently had COVID-19, you must wear a mask on the premises for the full 10 days from the date of exposure or infection, consistent with DC Health Department and CDC guidance.

To report suspected child abuse in the District of Columbia call 1-202-671-SAFE(7233)
To report suspected internet crimes against children, contact report.cybertip.org

Safe Shores

To report suspected child abuse / Para reportar sospechas de abuso:

1-202-671-SAFE (7233)

Small Changes You Can Make for Gender-Inclusive Language

A pastel rainbow image that says "Small changes you can make for gender-inclusive language" with white speech bubbles surrounding. The speech bubbles say: "Hey y'all!" "How old are your siblings? "Good morning everyone!" "They like ice cream." "What are your pronouns?" and "They are the best mail carrier."

?️‍??Happy Pride! ??️‍?Pride month is more than rainbow clothing and parades. Although those pieces are joyful and important, June is not only a month of celebration, it is also a month of reflection.

It can feel overwhelming to know how to best support and protect LGBTQIA+ youth; particularly with proposed legislature throughout the country actively promoting harmful discrimination. It can make you feel powerless! However, there are small changes you can make just in the way you phrase language that can make a big difference for LGBTQIA+ youth.

As June draws to a close, practice these tips to make your language more gender-inclusive.

 

An image with speech bubbles on a pastel background. The image is titled "Pronouns" It says: "Instead of using "He or She" like "If a student has a question, he or she should raise a hand." Use these: "They" like "If a student has a question, they should raise their hand." and "One" like in "If one has a question, raise a hand."

Another pastel rainbow image with speech bubbles. This is titled

Another rainbow visual with speech bubbles. This encourages viewers to say

This pastel rainbow image encourages viewers to say

This pastel rainbow image gives gender-inclusive versions of family relationships. Instead of Mom/Dad, say caregiver or parent. Brother/sister becomes sibling. Husband/wife becomes partner. Son/daughter becomes child.

This rainbow image gives easy gender-inclusive ways of saying traditional names of jobs and titles. Mankind becomes humankind. Chairman becomes chairperson. Fireman becomes firefighter. Congressman becomes legislator. Mailman becomes mailperson. Man made becomes synthetic.

 

Resources:

https://www.gsws.pitt.edu/resources/faculty-resources/gender-inclusive-non-sexist-language-guidelines-and-resources

https://www.un.org/en/gender-inclusive-language/guidelines.shtml

https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/gender-inclusive-language/

https://www.glaad.org/reference

https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/teaching-beyond-the-gender-binary-in-the-university-classroom/#common

https://www.apa.org/about/apa/equity-diversity-inclusion/language-guidelines

https://eige.europa.eu/publications/gender-sensitive-communication/practical-tools/solutions-how-use-gender-sensitive-language

https://atlascorps.org/gender-inclusive-language-tips-respect-diversity/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kimelsesser/2020/07/08/how-to-use-gender-neutral-language-and-why-its-important-to-try/?sh=339944ed26ba

https://word.tips/gender-inclusive-language/