Safe Environment Training

[john8791]

I am about to start my second year teaching 3rd grade religious education (CCD). At our catechist meeting last week it was revealed that we will be implementing the “Safe Environment” curriculum next month. Apparently this curriculum came out of the USCCB. Not much detail was given other than a several page handout for us to read. The curriculum contains things such as: respecting ourselves and others, Identifying good and bad choices and how they affect us.

Also on the list is “good touch - bad touch”. We are supposed to tell students that “Private parts [are] those which are under a bathing suit or shorts and a tee shirt” and then do a “What if” game that includes “What if someone you know wants to touch your private parts?”

First off, I am a volunteer and an engineer by trade. I volunteered hoping I could make a difference to these kids by sharing the Catholic faith. I don’t feel I have any right, nor do I feel comfortable discussing things of a sexual nature with other peoples’ children. I guarantee that 90% of the parents don’t even know this is coming. Has anyone else run into this and is my thinking out of line?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I am about to start my second year teaching 3rd grade religious education (CCD). At our catechist meeting last week it was revealed that we will be implementing the “Safe Environment” curriculum next month. Apparently this curriculum came out of the USCCB. Not much detail was given other than a several page handout for us to read. The curriculum contains things such as: respecting ourselves and others, Identifying good and bad choices and how they affect us.

Also on the list is “good touch - bad touch”. We are supposed to tell students that “Private parts [are] those which are under a bathing suit or shorts and a tee shirt” and then do a “What if” game that includes “What if someone you know wants to touch your private parts?”

First off, I am a volunteer and an engineer by trade. I volunteered hoping I could make a difference to these kids by sharing the Catholic faith. I don’t feel I have any right, nor do I feel comfortable discussing things of a sexual nature with other peoples’ children. I guarantee that 90% of the parents don’t even know this is coming. Has anyone else run into this and is my thinking out of line?

Tell the pastor or DRE that you will not teach this material and that they will have to find someone else for this material. You volumteered to teach the Catholic faith and wish to stick with Catechesis only. Suggest that parents teach this part.

 

[john8791]

Tell the pastor or DRE that you will not teach this material and that they will have to find someone else for this material. You volumteered to teach the Catholic faith and wish to stick with Catechesis only. Suggest that parents teach this part.

Br. Rich,
Thanks for the advice, I plan to do just that. In your opinion, is the USCCB sacrificing what little innocence is left in these kids in order to keep all legal ends tied up? I understand the outcry to “do something” about sexual abuse, but I think we’re taking things too far by taking this choice away from parents and putting the burden on volunteers who are not qualified to teach such things.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Br. Rich,
Thanks for the advice, I plan to do just that. In your opinion, is the USCCB sacrificing what little innocence is left in these kids in order to keep all legal ends tied up? I understand the outcry to “do something” about sexual abuse, but I think we’re taking things too far by taking this choice away from parents and putting the burden on volunteers who are not qualified to teach such things.

I really don’t know if the USCCB has really advocated this program. You might check that. I do remember about 10 or more years ago a DRE wanted to include “sex” education into the younger CCd program. Indicating the USCCB required it. Which was not the case. Parishes quickly learned that the Diocesan level person was the one pushing it. We learned that Child abuse prevention is not effective when parents are not involved or the primary teachers. Child abuse prevention is most effective when an organization creates a safe enviroment by everyone watching for possible situations and policies that do not offer opportunities for abusers. Training aimed at adults who work with children and effective screening porcesses. Human sexuality incorporated into Morality education in Youth Ministry (older youth) is different. but should still involve parents in some way.

 

[puzzleannie]

I am about to start my second year teaching 3rd grade religious education (CCD). At our catechist meeting last week it was revealed that we will be implementing the “Safe Environment” curriculum next month. Apparently this curriculum came out of the USCCB. Not much detail was given other than a several page handout for us to read. The curriculum contains things such as: respecting ourselves and others, Identifying good and bad choices and how they affect us.
?

we have a couple of extended threads on Touching Safety (and similar programs by other names) which is the element of the US Bishops Safe Environment initiative which is supposed to be used with children. We also have several threads on Protecting God’s Children, and other similar programs, which are the component required of all employees and volunteers in US Diocese, and which is also offered to parents. You might want to weigh in on those discussions.

You the catechist should not have to present these lessons unless you have been trained to do so, and are within your rights of refusing to present them if you have objections. Parents MUST be given the opportunity to review the materials, and to opt their children OUT of the presentation. This is part of the mandate from the bishops that adopted the whole program.

 

[puzzleannie]

I really don’t know if the USCCB has really advocated this program. You might check that. I do remember about 10 or more years ago a DRE wanted to include “sex” education into the younger CCd program. Indicating .

what OP is discussing is NOT Sex Ed, so this is going off topic. Bro is quite right in referring to several studies coming to light that show Touching Safety and similar initiatives have a lot of problems and are also ineffective. Unfortunately proponents can come up with other studies showing the opposite. Personally I feel the bishop’s wasted a lot of time and money duplicating programs that are already in place for other agencies that service children (boy scouts being one example), which have a longer track record, are better implemented, and have fewer objectionable features.

If you are a catechist you do have to learn what your rights and obligations are in this area.