Bishops' work group affirms church anti-abuse education programs

Published: 2007-05-03

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A report sent to the U.S. bishops by their National Review Board and Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People said the safe environment education programs for children in dioceses across the nation are "a major accomplishment and one that must continually be maintained and reinforced." It proposed criteria for evaluating and improving those programs, which are intended to prevent the sexual abuse of children and young people and to help them recognize it if it occurs and report it to adults. The report recommended strengthening the training of teachers and catechists who are called on to teach children in age-appropriate ways what they need to know to help them to avoid inappropriate touching or behavior and to report it when it occurs. The new report, "Safe Environment Training of Children in the Catholic Church," was written by the Safe Environment Work Group, headed by Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, Calif., a member of the bishops' Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People.

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