Because We Care... Diocesan Office for the Protection of Children and Young People
e APRIL IS NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH What Kids Need to Know At a recent seminar held by the National Safe Environment Leadership Conference in New Orleans in March, a sex offender was quoted: “Show me a child who knows nothing about abuse, and I will show you my next victim”. Youngsters need to know some basic information to protect themselves from abuse. In New York State, it is mandated that child sexual abuse prevention education be provided in our schools. Parents, teachers and catechists and all who work with children
Diocese of Rockville Centre Most Reverend William F. Murphy Bishop of Rockville Centre
April 2010 Issue 8 Special points of interest:
throughout the diocese are working together to teach children about basic personal safety. Kids need to know: •
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What abuse is... Provide general information about inappropriate behavior from adults and other youths. Teach young people how to interact appropriately with each other.
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Discuss the importance of reporting abuse .
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Let children and young people know to whom they should report abuse.
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Provide personal safety training at regular intervals at home and in programs in an age appropriate way.
Talk 2 them
► In Oct 2009, the Gavin Group, Inc. an independent audit team found the Diocese of Rockville Centre in full compliance with the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
► This is the eighth in a series of educational newsletters that the Diocese of Rockville Centre, Office for the Protection of Children and Young People provides for parents and volunteers. As you know, the Diocese of Rockville Centre has taken a proactive approach in creating safe environments in every parish, school and agency throughout the diocese on Long Island. As a diocese, we work everyday to develop new ways to strengthen our response to the problem of child abuse and to implement systems to prevent any type of abusive behavior from harming our children and young people.