GUAM
KUAM
[with video]
Updated: Apr 03, 2017
By Krystal Paco
We can expect more transparency from the Archdiocese of Agana, who today launched the first of a monthly series called Updating the Faithful. Today’s update was on efforts to educate and prevent child sex abuse in the Catholic school system.
Faculty and staff at all 14 of Guam’s Catholic schools know what to do should they suspect a child is a victim of abuse. The efforts were spearheaded by the Task Force for the Protection of Minors led by longtime social work professional Sarah Thomas-Nededog, who said, “The schools know much better what the mandatory reporting law was all about to understanding the issues of boundaries and the importance of setting those boundaries and respecting them and teaching and supporting children to be more empowered to protect themselves, as well.”
The task force was created in September shortly after allegations of clergy sex abuse went public. To date, 39 plaintiffs have filed suit alleging members of the church knew of the ongoing abuse decades ago, but failed to do anything about it. The group’s mission is now expanded to educate the parishes.
Today’s press conference is the first of a monthly series. Coadjutor Archbishop Michael Byrnes chose this month’s topic to highlight ongoing Child Abuse Prevention Month, as he announced, “My main role here is to say thanks to you all for really taking the lead and providing some really effective measures through the training.”
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