POLICY MANUAL: Child Abuse Resources

PRESENTATIONS

1.         Protecting God’s Children Workshop

The Archdiocese of St. Louis conducts a child sexual-abuse prevention program entitled "Protecting God’s Children."  The program is provided at no cost to parishes, schools, and archdiocesan agencies.  All employees and volunteers who work with or near children on a regular basis are mandated to attend a presentation of the program.  Priests in the archdiocese participated in the program at deanery meetings, and pastors are encouraged to be present at the sessions that will be offered in their parishes.

After reviewing several programs on the prevention of sexual abuse, the Archdiocesan Child Safety Committee recommended "Protecting God’s Children" to Archbishop Justin Rigali. Developed by National Catholic Services, this comprehensive two and a half hour program includes two video presentations that incorporate stories from victims of sexual abuse and their families, who talk about the impact that the abuse has had on them.  In addition, the videos feature testimony from perpetrators of child abuse, who tell with chilling candor how they selected their victims and how they made the victims feel that the abuse was their own fault.  The program also provides information on how to prevent situations that can lead to abuse, on what behavior should raise concern about abuse, and on how to report abuse. 

 Approximately 20 local facilitators, comprising counselors, psychologists, social workers, and educators, have been trained to present the program. Most presentations are given at parishes.

Effective in 2007 pastors were asked to identify a parishioner who can be trained to become a workshop facilitator for his/her parish community.

To arrange a presentation, contact Ms. Andrea Witt Coordinator of Training for the Safe Environment Program, at 314.792.7272 or andreawitt@archstl.org

 A listing of currently scheduled presentations can be found on the Internet at http://www.archstl.org/sep/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=59&Itemid=188

2.         Safe Environment  Program for Children and Youth

            K-8^th Grade Curriculum has been developed by West County Psychological

            9 -12th Grade, Called to Protect for Youth, developed by Praesidium

3.          Safe Environment Program for Parents:

 Parents will be invited to preview and review the Safe Environment Program for Children and Youth and this can be the optional parent training.