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	Sexual Abuse Policy Credited for Quick Response in Appleton Student Reported Teacher's Activity to Authorities By Dan Wilson Post-Crescent May 9, 2008 http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080509/APC0101/805090506/1979/APCent APPLETON — A 10-year-old's quick reporting of sexual abuse may have been prompted by the Catholic church's system of checks put into place as a result of priest sexual abuse scandals. However, those same reforms were not enough to screen out Daniel Callan, 25, charged with molesting one of his fifth-grade students at St. Bernadette Elementary School. As a result of the priest scandals, the church ordered a comprehensive policy put into place in 2004 to prevent sexual abuse of children. Called Protecting God's Children VIRTUS, it is designed to weed out potential abusers and quickly report those who are suspected of abuse. "The diocese requires all potential candidates, even volunteers, to go through a background check that is both statewide and national," said Tony Abts, president of ACES Xavier Educational System. Those staffers, once hired, then are required to complete a training program designed to make them aware of signs of sexual abuse. "All of this is part of the safest environment we can provide for students,"Abts said. Abts would not comment directly on Callan's background check, but according to statements made in court, Callan had no record of any kind. "If we had any reason to be concerned about this person being around children, they would not be hired," Abts said. In addition, children are educated on sexual abuse. Abts credits that education for the prompt report to authorities in the Callan case. "Our students, through our guidance counseling services, have a curriculum of protective behaviors through our developmental guidance curriculum," he said. The 10-year-old boy who reported Callan had been through that part of the guidance curriculum. "All of the fifth-grade students would have had those developmental guidance sessions and students learn what is unacceptable and what they can do about it and who they can talk to," Abts said. As soon as the report was made to the school, Abts said a prearranged plan was triggered. "We talked to the parents and the child and contacted social services and the Appleton Police Department," he said. "Then we contacted by phone all of the parents of students in the fifth grade and sent out an e-mail schoolwide and then sent out a letter by mail." That serves not only to inform the parents, but to encourage any others to come forward if they also were abused, Abts said. "To the best of my knowledge, there are no other situations that we are aware of." Callan of Menasha is charged with two counts of indecent exposure, one count of first-degree sexual assault and causing a child to view sexual activity. He was released from custody Thursday after posting a $15,000 cash bond. Callan's next court appearance is set for Wednesday. Dan Wilson: 920-993-1000, ext. 304 or dwilson@postcrescent.com
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