Protecting God’s Children
Diocese takes proactive approach to assault prevention
First of two parts
By Erick Rommel
Head Staff Writer
Three million children are assaulted every year, with one in four girls sexually assaulted before age 18. In addition, 50 to 80 percent of all sexual abuse goes unreported.
“Of all children assaulted, 38 to 43 percent are in preschool. The average age is four,” said Mary Rotunno, executive director of the Middlesex County office of the New Jersey Child Assault Prevention Program, adding that more than 85 percent of children assaulted know the person responsible.
These statistics, from the National Child Assault Prevention Program, are one reason why all Catholic schools in the diocese are ensuring their students are educated about assault and assault prevention through the New Jersey Child Assault Prevention Program.
Diocesan and school representatives selected the program because they felt it best met the needs of the schools, according to Dr. Frank X. Heelan, deputy superintendent of schools. In addition to programs for parents, teachers and students, Heelan said CAP would also provide follow-up training material to be used during religious education classes.
CAP has a respected record of success, according to Lawrence V. Nagle, director of the Office of Child and Youth Prevention. “I saw reports from kids through the CAP program while I was in law enforcement,” he said. “It gives the tools that teach kids how to be safe.”
“We feel all children should have this program,” Rotunno said. “Child abuse can happen in all social groups and communities.”
Rotunno explained there are four categories of abuse in New Jersey: physical, sexual, emotional/verbal and neglect.
To protect children from each type of abuse, CAP offers two different classes, each taught in an age appropriate manner. Students in kindergarten through sixth grade discuss types of assault and abuse perpetrated by friends, strangers and known adults. Those in grades seven and higher learn about date rape and battering.
“Teens are the silent victim,” said Kathi Indiviglio, a Middlesex County facilitator.
“People tend not to pay too much attention. They look and say [the teens] can fend for themselves, but in that six-foot body is a 14 year old. They’re too old to have sympathy for.
“It’s sad that in our day and age, children don’t realize they’re priceless,” she added.
Every CAP facilitator undergoes extensive training before going into the classroom, and many have been involved with the program for years. They also update their skills on a regular basis, attending ongoing training workshops focusing on topics such as problem solving and active listening.
In addition, workshops are available in multiple languages. In Middlesex County, classes at all levels can be provided in English, Spanish, Italian and three Indian dialects. “You find people are much more comfortable in their native language, no matter how familiar they are with English, especially if they’re reporting something,” explained Indiviglio.
CAP programs exist in 32 states and 18 countries. In New Jersey, each county has its own CAP program, with an additional program in Newark.
In Somerset County, four Catholic schools have gone through the CAP program so far, three others are on a waiting list, meaning they’ll be at the top of the county list when they reapply for the next school year.
“My kids (at Christ the King School, Manville) got the program this year for the first time, partly because the bishop said all schools need it,” said Alyce Vornlocker, CAP coordinator. “I’ve been thrilled with the reception from the administrators of the schools and the kids.
Catholic Charities has been the Warren County CAP host agency for 20 years. All schools, including Catholic schools, have received 100 percent funding since 1990. According to Carole Ciurczak, CAP coordinator, the Knights of Columbus raise money not provided through state grants for the Catholic schools.
Catholic Charities also hosts CAP in Hunterdon County.
In Middlesex County, CAP is an independent program with a board of directors. During the 2004- 2005 school year, 20 Catholic schools applied for grants to fund the CAP program; 14 received funding. The others will reapply for the next school year.
“This is one of the great things that New Jersey has launched,” said Dr. Heelan about the CAP program.“It allows students the ability to express their feelings.
Heelan and Nagle said the diocese is discussing plans to add the CAP program for students in the seventh and eighth grade in the coming school year.
In addition, Nagle said the program would expand to religious education classes across the diocese once more than 90 percent of the schools have received training. Dr. Mary Kay Cullinan, director, Office of Religious Education, expects that goal to be reached in Fall 2005.
In addition to Catholic schools in the diocese, “a majority of our public school students have had CAP,” Cullinan said. “Our goal is to reinforce the CAP program they’ve already had.”
In preparation, Cullinan is working closely with Pat Stanislaski, executive director, NJ CAP Regional Training Center, to gather reinforcement information and prepare to distribute it to parish religious education programs. Cullinan said there would likely be a workshop for catechetical leaders in the fall to train them about what CAP has to offer.
The new CAP training in parish religious education programs will complement the Benzinger safe environment program already in place throughout the diocese. The Benzinger program is a religious education supplement that deals with sexuality issues and family values, according to Cullinan. It was first implemented in 1988 after a mandate by Bishop Edward T. Hughes.
“You can’t have too much of an emphasis on a safe environment,” Cullinan said.
Nagle agreed. “You can’t empower kids enough, that’s the bottom line. Giving children tools to make themselves safe is critical.”
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law