Catholic Church Training Program Helps Adults Spot Signs of Abuse

KMBC
September 15, 2015

http://www.kmbc.com/news/catholic-church-training-program-helps-adults-spot-signs-of-abuse/35286552

[with video]

The Catholic Church is trying to take a more proactive approach to stopping sexual abuse in its schools and churches, which includes required training for anyone who works with children.

The program is designed to help parents and teachers look for signs of abuse.

“We think we can protect our children. We think we can protect them all the time, which we can’t,” said sex abuse educator Nancy Beaty.

She shared the sobering statistics that 20 percent of girls and 5 percent of boys will be molested.

“It’s just disturbing. It makes you feel uncomfortable. It makes you want to keep your kid in a bubble,” said Carrie Henry.

Henry is taking the training class, because she wants to participate in school field trips. The training is required for parents or others who want to work or volunteer with any church or school activities involving children. The program was created in the wake of sex abuse scandals that rocked the diocese.

Parents learn warning signs and other things to watch, including adults who want to spend special time alone with children, lock or block off isolated areas in schools and churches. It also helps adults train children to set their own boundaries.

“Kids need to know they have boundaries and if we don’t let them know that, they think they have to (do what a predator wants)," said Beaty.