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Published: April 29, 2007

“Trust your instincts”

Fresno diocese’s guide on child abuse seems to leave a lot of room for interpretation

In the wake of the clergy molestation scandal, the Fresno diocese, like others, has put in place a religious education program to train students (Kindergarten-12th grade) to respond to abuse. But does this “safe environment program, called “Keeping the Promise,” keep the promise it makes?

According to Bishop John Steinbock’s foreword, the program’s “Parent Resource and Catechist Guide” was drawn up “to make a practical connection of Christian values to personal and interpersonal safety skill development that may reduce a child’s vulnerability without compromising their innocence.” Further, “it respects the parents’ discretion regarding how and when the more sensitive topics related to child abuse are introduced to their children in regards to individual readiness.”

Parents may opt their children out of safe environment sessions. Parents who participate receive a copy of the guide, which promises them, “Classroom presentations to young children will not teach the proper names of body parts, especially those areas that are often referred to as ‘private parts.’ Giving specific examples of what is ‘good touch vs. bad touch’ will not be included...”

However, a teachers’ handout adds, “If during the course of a presentation one of the children initiates the topic of inappropriate touch -- you should and must respond.” Admitting “our responsibility to the parents to respect their right to decide when to introduce sensitive topical matter to their children,” the handout suggests exceptions to this responsibility. “It is our responsibility to the children to respond to a question or comment that regards a safety issue,” it says. Such comments should be “age appropriate” and “specifically focused on what the child asked or stated.” If the child seems to have “a more personal issue or is beginning to disclose abuse,” he or she is to be dealt with on an individual basis “as soon as possible.”

Abuse, according to the diocese’s guide, includes emotional (called “insensitive”), physical (“indignant”), neglect (“insufficient,” including failure to show “emotional love and support”), as well as sexual abuse (“inappropriate”). While in the lower grades teachers address situations that make children feel unsafe (grade 1), how to report “unsafe behavior” (grade 3), the dangers of the Internet (grade 4), verbal abuse (grade 6), by eighth grade they discuss specifically the four types of abuse, and students are told they have to fight the “cancer” of child abuse by “caring.” In the high school years, scenario questions suggest that students should be vigilant in reporting abuse.

Teachers, too, are told to “trust your instincts” and report what they think might be abuse -- and not just by Church officials. This includes, according to the guide, not only sexual abuse, but any abuse, including “failure to provide adequate school or educationally related needs” as well as “acts or failure to act by parent or caretaker that has caused, or could cause, serious behavioral, cognitive, emotional or mental disorders.”

What constitutes “failure” or a “serious” matter is presumably left up to the teacher’s -- and, ultimately, the state’s -- discretion.

© California Catholic Daily 2007. All Rights Reserved.