GUAM
KUAM
Updated: Feb 03, 2017
By Krystal Paco
To date, 15 plaintiffs have filed suit against the Archdiocese of Agana, each alleging they were victim to child molestation decades ago by the hands of church clergy. Some plaintiffs detailed they told a trusted adult – but no action was ever taken. Other plaintiffs stated they were too embarrassed to bring shame to their family and kept their secret to themselves.
In light of the allegations and to ensure all children are safe from sex abuse, the church formed a task force for the protection of minors who conducted trainings for all the island’s Catholic schools. One school is already months into implementation.
It was uncomfortable at first, but students Pre-K through 8th grade at St. Francis Catholic School are well acquainted with curriculum that’s intended to keep them safe. “The first safety rule is no one should touch my private part unless it’s to keep me healthy,” said Maddie Martinez. She and Briana Dela Cruz are kindergarten teachers at the Yona school. They explain the curriculum was localized and the characters were renamed to Juan and Maria, to serve as visuals for boundaries and the difference between a good touch and bad touch.
“Our first thing in this school is to keep all children safe and assure them they are safe, it’s important to always reinforce the curriculum. Once you’re done its important to reinforce. Like, we’ll ask our students, what are the steps? And they remember the steps,” she said.
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