Celebrate Safety - Teacher Facilitator Handbook - Teacher Facilitator Handbook

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D. Child Abuse and the Educator (10 minutes)

1. Positive Touch

Hugs, pats on the back, holding hands, and putting your arm around children's shoulders are O.K. for most pre- Grade 4 students. It's O.K. for many 5th and 6th graders too. If you teach pre-3, you've probably received a kiss or two from students. You may have even kissed your class good-bye at the end of the year. Don't panic. If the touches were initiated by the students, were not kept secret, and/or occurred in front of 30 or so witnesses, you're fine! The only thing that could be wrong with these touches is if they make an individual child uncomfortable. You can usually tell, but if you can't, this educational program empowers children to clearly reject an uncomfortable touch."

2. Guarding Against False Accusation of Abuse

"When educators are accused of abuse, the media is brutal. Even if the charges are unfounded, a career can be ruined. Naturally, teachers are very concerned about this. A teacher who uses this program, invites parents to participate in the instruction, and is acknowledged for completing the program through school-wide recognition would have an extremely difficult time molesting students if s/he were so inclined. Therefore completing this program as it is designed is an educator's best protection against false accusation.

" .." heard a union rep. say 'never be alone with a student.' There has to be a level of trust between teachers and students. If you are concerned, you can try team tutoring and/or detention before and after school. This can save you time and minimize your own professional isolation."

3. Educators Who Abuse

"Teaching is a noble profession. It is no reflection on the profession or those who enter it nobly, when a pedophile chooses teaching as a career. pedophiles gravitate to jobs with children. As a profession, we must make it absolutely clear, pedophiles are not welcome."

4. Handling Disclosure

The Teddy Bear in The Story of the Little Child provides an excellent model for what to say when abuse is disclosed. You may want to read an excerpt! You may wish to make a poster or transparency to quickly remind your colleagues of the following points:

Avoid a physical barrier between you and the child.
Don't Act Shocked or Panic - maintain warmth and eye contact.
Don't display disapproval of the parents.
Give the child plenty of time.

Think of how difficult telling can be. Ask the child how the abuse made him or her feel and simply acknowledge and validate the feeling. Don't suggest answers to the child. You can not promise to keep abuse a secret. You can promise to find people to help the child and his or her family. Tell the child what you are going to do next and what s/he can expect to happen next.

At this time, you may ask your school nurse or other district personnel to quickly review district policy on reporting. You may invite your school's caseworker or police officer to say a few words or if you've chosen not to include this today, just let your colleagues know who can advise them on reporting if they have any questions or concerns.

E. View either the Celebrate Safety Puppet Video or Break the Silence- Video

F. View the Corresponding Teacher Inservice Video Viewing will take between 45- 60 minutes