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| | Fact: A study of children in Kindergarten
through second grade who participated in a prevention program found that
children would tell a responsible adult if they were victimized, both when
forced and told by the offender to keep the encounter a secret.1
Fact: Children can be taught to recognize
appropriate and inappropriate touches and to understand the difference.2
Better Intervention Through Education
Better Intervention Through Education (BITE) is an abuse
prevention program taught
through public school systems in Northwest Georgia. The curriculum focuses
on valuable life-skills such as assertiveness and self-protection.
The curriculum takes into consideration the developmental stages of the children
taught with 3 different programs geared towards pre-K & Kindergarten, 3rd
grade, and 5th grade age groups.
With the help of a red-headed piece of foam named
Hermenabelle (okay, so she's a puppet), children talk openly about
inappropriate touching. The program emphasizes the touching
rule--that, "Nobody should touch your private parts except to keep
you clean and healthy." Each student also has the opportunity
to practice a very special and powerful "NO!" in case somebody
ever tries to break the touching rule.
"The students really seemed to enjoy and learn from
the program."
--Teacher "I felt very comfortable with the way the
information was presented to my child. I would recommend it
gladly."
--Parent |
| With the help of Hermenabelle (a puppet), students are taught
to identify and distinguish good, bad, and uh-oh touches, In addition to
identifying and practicing assertiveness skills, the students role play
by helping Hermenabelle develop a safety plan in three different
situations.
"Students are definitely given a plan of action to
protect themselves."
--Teacher
"I learned about the 3 touches and what to do if
someone gives me an uh-oh feeling."
--Student |
| The fifth grade program involves watching a video from
the Committee For Children Personal Decision Safety Decision Making
curricula entitled, "Yes, You Can Say No." Following the
video, the class is led in interactive group discussion. This
provides an opportunity for students to ask questions, talk about the
video's highlights, and emphasize the programs positive message.
"After [the presenter] left, the students
were positive and receptive in a discussion."
--Teacher
"Wonderful! Well done! Excellent!"
--Teacher |
BITE has been well received by students, teachers, and parents
for years. If you are interested in having the BITE program presented at your school,
contact Shannon Bond, BITE program presenter, at (770) 401-4201 for more
information.
"Parents who attend the program were positive, impressed,
and are in support of the program and its goals."
--Teacher
Stewards of Children Program
Darkness to Light's Stewards of Children is a revolutionary
sexual abuse prevention training program that educates adults to prevent,
recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse, and motivates them to
courageous action. The Stewards of Children program is designed for
organizations and corporations that serve children and youth. Harbor House
staff is trained to conduct this highly-educational program.
Contact us for more information or to schedule a
training.
The curriculum can be used by organizations and corporations who are:
- Seeking training for staff and volunteers in the prevention of child
sexual abuse.
- Wanting to make a difference in their community by educating adults
about the protection of children.
- Needing to respond to insurance requirements regarding child protection.
- Wanting to enhance community training initiatives and develop potential
sources of revenue.
The program includes:
- An interactive workbook for each participant containing the full program
curriculum
- An accompanying VHS/DVD integrating segments of sexual abuse survivors
relating their stories of violation and healing, with segments from the
author of the curriculum and from professionals who interface daily with the
problem of sexual abuse
- Opportunity for discussion about important issues in sexual abuse
prevention and the relevance of these issues within organizations that serve
children and adolescents.
After training participants will:
- Understand the facts of child sexual abuse - incidence rates and effects
on individuals and society
- Understand how child sexual abuse happens
- Understand that adults are responsible for the protection of children
- Understand the importance of screening staff/volunteers who work with
children and adolescents
- Understand the importance of a well conceived one-adult/one-child policy
- Have resources to react responsibly to incidents of child sexual abuse
- Understand the proactive role youth-serving organizations need to take
to protect children and educate their communities about child sexual abuse
-
Kraizer, S., Witte, S.S., & Fryer, G.E.
Jr. (1989). Child sexual abuse prevention programs. What makes
them effective in prortecting children? Children Today, 18,
23-27.
-
Wurtele, S.K., & Ownes, J. S.
(1997). Teaching personal safety skills to young children: An
investigation of age and gender across 5 studies. Child Abuse &
Neglect, 21, 805-814.
Stewards of Children Information obtained from
Darkness To Light's Website
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