Training underway for child safe environment program

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
August 7, 2003

DES MOINES - Personnel from the four dioceses in Iowa came together for training in Des Moines that centered on creating a safe environment for children in parishes and Catholic schools.

The program, titled Protecting God's Children, is a component of the VIRTUS family of educational program. It is specifically aimed at preventing child sexual abuse.

Nearly 300 clergy and staff from the dioceses attended one of two Protecting God's Children awareness sessions presented July 31 at Dowling High School.

"Your presence here this afternoon and your ongoing support in the educational efforts across the state are very, very important to the success of this very powerful program," said Bishop Joseph L. Charron of the Diocese of Des Moines.

He pointed out that more than 70 individuals from the four dioceses participated in a multi-day training sessions in order to become facilitators of the Protecting God's Children program. Persons from each of the dioceses were trained in order to bring the program back and present it in their home parishes. The training was a cooperative venture among the four Iowa dioceses.

"Our intention with all of this is to reach all church staff, volunteers and parents," noted Bishop Charron. He extended thanks to all of the facilitators.

According to Kevin Vickery, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Sioux City, 15 people from this diocese received the extensive training in Des Moines so as to serve as facilitators. Another 25 people attended one of the three-hour Protecting God's Children awareness sessions. Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo was among the representatives from this diocese.

"We have a diverse group of facilitators from throughout the diocese," noted Vickery, who also was trained as a facilitator. "There are teachers, DREs, deacons and diocesan staff - they represent a broad range."

The awareness sessions that were held on July 31 allowed the newly trained facilitators to see first-hand how the programs should run when they deliver the same presentations at various parishes and schools.

The premise of the Protecting God's Children program is to make anyone who has contact with children in a parish - whether paid staff or volunteers - aware of anything in the environment that could provide an opportunity for sexual abuse to take place.

Vickery stressed that the program emphasizes the importance of having solid policies and procedures in place as a major component to prevent abuse.

Sharon Doty, the master trainer from VIRTUS and author of many of the materials used in the Protecting God's Children program, told those gathered in Des Moines that in chat rooms on the internet sexual abusers often mention that involvement in church programs is a great way to get access to children.

They know that programs such as Boy Scouts and Big Brothers/Big Sisters have screening processes and policies in place that make it more difficult to have the opportunity to abuse.

"When we put these tools into place, we send the message that we're committed to creating an environment where our children are safe," she said. Doty, who has been an advocate for abused and neglected children for the last 25 years, pointed out that work began in 1997 on this program.

"It is my passion, my commitment, my mission in life to have this program all across the world because I know that each and every place we train adults to watch for and notice the other adults in our community that are a risk of harm to our children ... we will all be better advocates for our kids," she said.

Two videos were incorporated into the presentation. The first video, A Time to Protect God's Children, raised awareness about the nature and scope of the problem of child sexual abuse. It told the stories of victims, victims' families and abusers.

"Research tells us that approximately 11 percent of abuse is committed by strangers, 29 percent of abuse is committed by family members and 60 percent is committed by others who are known and trusted by the child and the family," said Doty.

She pointed out that this program does not focus on teaching the children to resist those overtures, but trains adults in the faith community to create environments where there is no opportunity for the offense to occur.

The second video, A Plan to Protect God's Children, identified five simple steps that every adult can take to help create a safe environment for children in the communities.

The video encourages people to know the warning signs of abuse, control access to children (have screening process in place), monitor all programs, be aware (talk to children, listen, observe) and communicate any concerns.

"We have to create an atmosphere of openness" in all ministries that take place in a parish, Doty said. "There is nothing we do in ministry that people shouldn't be able to see."

Another dynamic of the awareness session included interactive discussion. Participants had the opportunity to participate in small group and large group discussion as well as a chance to ask the presenter questions.

The third component of this program by VIRTUS is ongoing training development and continuing education offered on-line. This will help to ensure that the commitment to creating a safe environment for children remains strong and becomes a way of life.

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