Entrusted To Our Care

1. Entrusted To Our Care Personnel and Volunteer Training How to Protect Our Children From Sexual Abuse

2. PRAYER!

3. Preventing Child Sexual Abuse The Catholic Diocese of Spokane is committed to providing a safe environment for all children in our care. In order to effectively facilitate this safe environment, all personnel and volunteers are required to undergo Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Training and to become familiar with our Diocesan Code of Conduct.

4. Preventing Child Sexual Abuse The Diocese is also committed to providing a Personal Safety education program to all children attending our Catholic schools and religious education programs and ongoing sexual abuse prevention training for all of their parents/guardians.

5. Training OutcomesParticipants will: • Identify signs and symptoms of abuse • Describe sexual predator characteristics • Describe how to properly respond to disclosure • Describe the reporting process • Have a basic understanding of the Diocesan Administrative Policy for Responding to Allegations of Sexual Abuse and Inappropriate Behavior By Church Personnel • Have a basic understanding of the Diocesan Code of Conduct.

6. What is child sexual abuse? Child sexual abuse is the use of a child for sexual purposes by an adult or older, more powerful person, including an older child. Child sexual abuse is called incest when it happens between family members.

7. There are many forms of sexual abuse that do not involve touching the child: • Asking a child to touch someone else’s private parts • Exposing oneself to a child • Making obscene phone calls to a child • Taking photographs of a child for sexual purposes • Communicating with a child in a sexual way via e-mail or the Internet • Showing a child sexually explicit materials or making a child watch others engaged in sexual acts

8. COMMON FACTS ABOUT CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE • Boys, as well as girls are at risk. • Victims can be of any age. Young children are especially at risk. • Incest and sexual assault are problems in all socio-economic classes. • Sexual abuse crosses racial, educational and religious beliefs. • Children very rarely make up stories about sexual abuse. • Offenders often blame the victim for provoking the sexual assault. • The offender, not the victim, is at fault for violating the rights of another person.

9. WHAT WE FEAR • A dangerous weird stranger • Isolated incident • Out of the blue • Rare and extreme • A violent attack • WHAT IS MORE LIKELY TO • HAPPEN • A person they know, a relative or friend of the family, is more often the offender (85% of the cases) • Over and over again • A situation that develops over a period of time (grooming behavior) • Frequent incidents. There are many forms of sexual assault. • Subtle, rather than extreme force.

10. There’s a New Stranger Danger! Many predators are now scanning personal social network sites (exmp. My Space) to find their next victims. Young adolescents can be easy prey to these very devious predators.

11. SEXUAL PREDATOR CHARACTERISTICS BE AWARE: • of family patterns: many times child abuse in families is inter-generational. The abused becomes the abuser. • of why an individual wants to work with children; many abusers want to work with children because they are sweet, innocent or non-judgmental. Many times the child-focused adult wants to work with children to fulfill his need for love, affection and control. • of the individual who spends most of his leisure time participating in child activities or spends all free time with children.

12. of the individual who has a preference or reservations about working with a particular age group. Many times sexual abusers have preference for a particular aged child. Some have a preference for a certain gender, physical trait, personality characteristics. • of an individual who has a need to control. Listen carefully to the individual and note signs that the individual may use psychological abuse to discipline. • inappropriate behaviors which demonstrate a lack of respect for children and adult’s feelings and thoughts.

13. of the individual who advocates keeping secrets. Individuals should be aware of the difference between secrets and surprises. • of the individual who is too anxious, too charming, too perfect and too good to be true. They probably are. Information adapted from the YMCA Abuse Training

14. Common Grooming TechniquesThe sexual abuser: • Begins the grooming process with a trust-building period. • Gains the friendship of a child • Slowly breaks down the victim’s guard against inappropriate touching and sexual contact • May threaten the victim in order to keep “the secret” • Seeks out potential victims who have low self-esteem • Gains the trust of the victim’s parent(s) • Invites the victim on overnights and gives the victim gifts

15. “This is our secret!” It is very important for the predator to keep the child from telling! As a result, the child is often threatened: “If you tell, no one will believe you and you will be in serious trouble!” “If you tell, I will kill you!”

16. SIGNS OF SEXUAL ABUSE Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the child: • Has difficulty walking or sitting • Suddenly refuses to change for gym or to participate in physical activities • Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior • Becomes pregnant or contracts an STD, particularly if under age of 14 • Runs away, or • Reports sexual abuse by a parent or another adult caregiver

17. THE CHILD • Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance • Has learning problems that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes • Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen • Lacks adult supervision • Is overly compliant, an overachiever, or too responsible • Comes to school early, stays late, and does not want to go home

18. THE CHILD may… • Exhibit Signs of Stress • Experience Insomnia • Experience Depression • Exhibit Seductive Behavior • Become Passive or Withdrawn • Make References to an Adult Friend

19. SIGNS OF SEXUAL ABUSE Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the parent or caregiver: • Is unduly protective of the child, severely limits the child's contact with other children, especially of the opposite sex • Is secretive and isolated, or • Describes marital difficulties involving family power struggles or sexual relations

20. FAMILY INDICATORS • Extreme paternal dominance and restrictiveness • Family isolated from community and support systems emotionally and/or physically • Lack of boundaries • Marked role reversal between mother and child • History of above for either parent

21. SPECIAL VULNERABILITY “Let’s be special friends” • Appeals to: • Lonely Child • Troubled Child

22. SOCIALIZATION • “Be polite” Sometimes it may be OK notto be polite. • “Don’t tattle” Sometimes you must tell. • “Mind the baby-sitter” Sometimes baby-sitters are abusers.

23. IGNORANCE Lack of personal safety information

24. Education is the Key! Children who have had Personal Safety education are more likely to report that they are being sexually abused.

25. Education is the Key! Adults who have been trained about child sexual abuse can be the eyes and ears within our communities that will be sensitive to possible child abuse and , as a result, will make our communities safer for our children.

26. “THE BIG THREE” SYMPTOMS • Knowledge that is too sophisticated for age group • Sexual behavior with peers or adults • Statement from child (Direct Disclosure)

27. SYMPTOMS Any Clusters of Behaviors/Symptoms may be a warning signal. CAUTION

28. SOME VICTIMS SHOW NO SIGNS, SYMPTOMS OR BEHAVIORS

29. Victims may… • Experience periodic flashbacks of the abuse • Develop extreme anger towards those who did not prevent or stop the abuse • Engage in self-mutilation • Experience difficulty with trust • Develop overwhelming feelings of guilt • Experience mood swings, behavioral episodes, and intense anger

30. LONG-TERM EFFECTS • Low self-esteem • Guilt and shame • Depression • Difficulty in trusting relationships • Loneliness • Destructive acting-out • Drug and alcohol abuse • Eating disorders • Sexual dysfunction • Difficulty in parenting • Confused family relations • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

31. Responding to Disclosure • Remain Calm • Reassure the child by saying: I’m glad you told me. It’s not your fault. I am always here for you. • Report the disclosure to your supervisor, CPS, and law enforcement. • Do NOT question the child or attempt to investigate

32. School Personnel, Child Care Providers, Counselors, Healthcare Providers and Others who Work with Children & WASHINGTON STATE LAW • “Reasonable cause” to suspect abuse or neglect • Civil immunity for good faith reporting • Failure to report = gross misdemeanor charge

33. CONFIDENTIALITY

34. CONTACT • Child Protective Services (CPS) and • Law Enforcement

35. At the Time of the Report record… • The day and time of your report • The name of the person who took your report • The report/case number • A narrative of what you reported

36. MAKING A REPORT • MADE WITHIN 24 HOURS • TELEPHONE EARLY IN THE DAY • CONTACT THE FAMILY DO NOT

37. Discussion Questions: • What is your initial response to this brief overview? • What are some red flags that might alert you to possible abuse? • What are the key things to remember if a child discloses a touching problem to you? • What other questions do you have regarding child sexual abuse?

38. BREAK

39. www.dioceseofspokane.org The Diocesan Administrative Policy for Responding to Allegations of Sexual Abuse and Inappropriate Behavior By Church Personnel can be found on the diocesan website.

40. www.dioceseofspokane.org

41. Click on… • A Safe Net for Children and Youth

42. The Diocesan Administrative Policy for Responding to Allegations of Sexual Abuse and Inappropriate Behavior By Church Personnel • Preamble • Diocesan Review Board • Procedures to be followed in Cases of Sexual Abuse of a Minor or Vulnerable Adult Involving Church Personnel • Procedures for Other Instances of Abuse or Inappropriate Behavior • Reporting Suspected Abuse • Requirements for Education on Issues of Abuse • Background Checks for New Employees and Volunteers • Background Checks for Ministerial Candidates • Code of Conduct

43. Code of Conduct The Diocesan Code of Conduct is contained within the Diocesan Administrative Policy for Responding to Allegations of Sexual Abuse and Inappropriate Behavior By Church Personnel.

44. Code of Conduct • Touching • Verbal and Nonverbal Communication • Transportation and Outings • Relationships • Drugs and Alcohol • Environment

45. VIDEO Entrusted to Our Care The Diocesan Code of Conduct

46. Discussion Questions • Why is it important for the Diocese to have a Code of Conduct? • What challenges do you believe the Code of Conduct poses for you in your role? • What questions do you have regarding the Code of Conduct?

47. Before you leave… • Have you completed and signed a WSP Background check permission form or an out of state background check permission form? • Have you completed and signed a disclosure statement? • Have you read and signed a Diocesan Code of Conduct form? • Have you signed the training roster?

48. ETS System All clergy, employees and volunteers who have previously taken the FULL Code of Conduct training are required to take an annual on-line renewal test. Individuals who have not taken the entire training previously will not be permitted to take the on-line renewal

49. The annual renewal deadline is October 1st.

50. Instructions for Accessing ETS On-Line Testing • Web address: http://ets.dioceseofspokane.org or access the site through the Diocesan website by choosing from the quick links list (ETS). • Enter your ID # (obtained from your parish, school, or other entity) • Enter the password - Ministry • Once you enter the site you will be asked to confirm who you are. Please be sure the name listed is “YOU”. If yes, hit continue and the system will begin with the test. • If you are not able to finish the test, the next time you login the system will begin on the next unanswered question. • Remember to read the Code of Conduct and check the appropriate box.