Public School District CSA Prevention Strategies?

Brenda, I wanted to share this newly published article which is relevant to your topic.

Know the warning signs of educator sexual misconduct

http://acesconnection.com/profiles/blogs/know-the-warning-signs-of-educator-sexual-misconduct

Author info:

CHAROL SHAKESHAFT is a professor of educational leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va.

Hi Brenda, Again so great to see you here! Coincidentally there was an article on CSA published today. Just wanted to make sure you didn't miss it! Thank you for your advocacy! Would love to hear how your testimony goes on the 21st. --best, chris

Not Even Discussed In Private Rooms: Childhood Sexual Abuse and Abuse Survivors

http://acesconnection.com/profiles/blogs/not-even-discussed-in-private-rooms-childhood-sexual-abuse-and

 

Hi, Brenda:

Since one or more other adverse experiences usually accompany child sex abuse, it might be worth addressing the entire issue of prevention of adverse childhood experiences and further traumatization of already traumatized students, as some schools in Washington State and Massachusetts are. See this story for more information and links: Washington, Massachusetts lead U.S. trauma-sensitive school movement. 

There are other resources in a more general discussion adjacent to this. 

Cheers, Jane

This article is terrific and hits the nail on the head! The problem in public school districts, especially with administrators, is that they are more interested in protecting their employees' reputations and not so much the kids they are responsible to protect. It's maddening and I have seen and experienced this first-hand!

Yes, that's the dysfunction in our culture of the legal system. It's so horrible. Sorry you've had to experience this. It's not right.

Jane, Thanks for your insight! I am approaching this testimony from the perspective of all the thoughts/feelings/fears educators are facing in response to Sandy Hook's tragedy. Now we are all about proactively stopping another tragedy of that magnitude. We should be equally and thoughtfully be integrating our TOTAL response to all violence at once -- and not excusing any hidden violence issue, because of the trauma impact of them all on our children & society.

Again the resources are wonderful! Thanks so much for posting this and pointing me to it! I wonder though, how experts feel about Finkelhor's comment about CSA on the decline!? He said that at the PSU CSA Conference back in October. Many people working in the field commented in disagreement. I really wonder how you can fully say that if this issue is so hidden and captured in big secrets? Also, with the economy in decline, more people experiencing other traumas, wouldn't that contribute to an upswing? I am just wondering aloud here. But thanks.

I think a lot of people didn't believe that Finkelhor was able to obtain accurate information. He looks only at reported, verified cases from criminal justice. Unfortunately, that doesn't account for the cases that people do not report, as well as the dire straits affecting almost every child welfare agency budget in the U.S., which means that not all reports are checked.

Dr. Frank Putnam at Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is doing some research into this, and expects to have the results published in the Fall. 

-- J. 

Brenda-

I agree with some of the previous points, particularly Jane's response. CSA is particularly vulnerable to incomplete data given the lack of disclosure. Research clearly demonstrates a lack of congruence between the low number of official CSA reports, and the high rates of reports retrospectively (often as adults).

Some data are available on teacher attitudes and beliefs about CSA which impacts their response to reports or warning signs. In one study, over half the teachers denied ever having a child in their school that was sexually abused, and many anticipated hesitating to report. Further, two-thirds of teachers fear being sued if a child disclosed to them, despite laws that protect educators that report even a suspicion of maltreatment. In this regard, some prevention could simply offer awareness and responsiveness training.

As for prevention programs, we cover this a bit in our book "Supporting and Educating Traumatized Students: A Guide for School Based Professionals". Pages 192-193 actually cover school-based prevention programs for CSA. I'd also check out these resources:

Wurtele, S. K. (2009). Preventing sexual abuse of children in the twenty-first century: Preparing for challenges and opportunities. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse

Finkelhor, D. (2009). The prevention of childhood sexual abuse. The Future of Children.

Kenny, M. C., Capri, V., Thakkar-Kolar, R. R., Ryan, E. E., & Runyon, M. K. (2008). Child sexual abuse: From prevention to self-protection. Child Abuse Review

Topping, K. J., & Barron, I. G. (2009). School-based child sexual abuse prevention programs: A review of effectiveness. Review of Educational Research.

Zwi et al. (2007). School-based education programmes for the prevention of child sexual abuse. Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews.

Brenda, FYI:

As attitudes change, more report sexual abuse at schools

http://acesconnection.com/profiles/blogs/as-attitudes-change-more-report-sexual-abuse-at-schools

Eric, Thank you so much for sharing your resources and Information. The better the understanding I have about the barriers schools encounter to prevention, the better I am able to address those concerns (for instance, teachers need to understand they are more at risk for being sued if they DO NOT report, than if they are mistaken). There's SO much education to be done here. I just hope our school's Board of Education sees what a statement they would make to our community when they take a leadership approach to the public health issue of violence prevention.

To follow-up on the Feb. 21st testimony I gave to our school district's Board of Education, I have to say it was a mixed bag. My testimony was intentionally moved to last on the agenda, because our cluster representatives were afraid I would make the audience "uncomfortable!". I was also told to keep my testimony shorter "than everyone else's".

Looking into the faces of the BoE members, they listened, but seemed clueless as to what I was saying had to do with them (coincidentally, a fifth grade teacher had been arrested that very day for CSA of two 11 yr old girls). Parents gave me their full attention, and applauded afterwards. A few came up, offering me support.

I called the arm of the police department who deals with these crimes to ask for their guidance. They told me our schools are unwilling to act on police suggestions for changes to make kids safer. They also suggested I try to speak with the Superintendent of our school district. I am drafting a letter now.

Other suggestions? This is truly hidden trauma in our county: the police department told me we have no grassroots advocacy groups here because they have been run out of county. They also said many of the Maryland legislators are defense attorneys and are not interested in writing preventive laws! OUCH!!!

I live here. My children go to school here. I am passionate to push this issue forward.

Hi Brenda, I was hoping you would update us on how your testimony went. Thank you! I'm glad to hear you got support from the parents. But sorry to hear the BoE looked clueless and that your local schools won't even take advice from the police dept. I wish I could say that responses like that weren't common for ACE advocates.

Just so you know, the federal government (e.g., SAMHSA and the CDC) is encouraging pertinent social programs to become trauma-informed. Research from Harvard and new policy from the AAP, both supported by The White House, can help bolster your argument for change when you communicate with your school superintendent. You might want to engage your local government officials as well (mayor, supervisors,...). If you can point to any other local agencies that have instituted trauma-informed care that could be helpful too. I can quickly look up what's happening in your county if you let me know the name of your county either on this discussion thread or via email.

Thanks again for your passion and tenacious spirit as an ACE advocate!

Keep us posted and let me know if I can be of any additional assistance.

Brenda, Here's a story I thought you'd want to know about:

Advocate Erin Merryn brings campaign for education against child sex abuse to
Long Beach

http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_22699912/advocate-erin-merryn-...

For more information on how to deal with and prevent child sexual abuse, go to www.shatteringthesilence.org, on Twitter @PAVEinfo.

 

My pleasure, Brenda! I'm happy if I can help!

This is what I found in your area. These resources may lead you to new contacts/info or give you information to bolster your argument when talking to locals about the prevalence of ACEs/trauma.

Byrne Justice Assistance Grants – Oct. 2012:

Primary Care Coalition of Montgomery County- Minimizing Child Abuse Victims' Interview Trauma – Grant of $53,289.00 

Family & Children's Services of Central MD  --  Domestic Violence Trauma-informed Counseling Services (DVTCS),  Baltimore City -- Grant of $22,603.00

http://www.goccp.maryland.gov/press/BJAG%202012%20table.doc

 

Montgomery County Department of Correction & Rehabilitation

“Women’s Unit – In January 2007, PRRS opened Unit I to female offenders only and created a Women’s Weekly Group to address a number of topics that provide more gender-specific and trauma-informed services to female offenders.”

http://www6.montgomerycountymd.gov/doctmpl.asp?url=/content/docr/PR...

 

Diana Bernhardt, Wilkins Avenue Women’s Assessent Center (2011) – Homelessness services

“The shelter is trying to become “trauma informed”.

http://www6.montgomerycountymd.gov/hhstmpl.asp?url=/content/hhs/Boa...

 

Montgomery County's Veteran/PTSD resources page

http://www6.montgomerycountymd.gov/hhstmpl.asp?url=/content/hhs/ads...

 

Child Welfare Information Gateway:

Maryland Department of Social Services (Wicomico County DSS)

Contact info: https://www.childwelfare.gov/nfcad/index.cfm?event=showDetail&n...

 

This "Maryland Association of Local Management Boards FY 2011 Annual Report" lists a “Trauma Informed Community Initiative” in Wicomico County, MD

http://www.talbotcountymd.gov/uploads/File/TFN/legislative%20report...

 

Governor’s Office for Children - Local Management Board Contact Links:

Wicomico County, Diana Reinoso, Point of Contact  dreinoso@wicomicocounty.org

Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children, Youth and Families, Inc., Point of Contact - Carol Walsh, Executive Director: Carol.walsh@collaborationcouncil.org  --  www.collaborationcouncil.org 

From the 2011 Annual Report: "The Congress’s spring symposium on Supporting Infants’ & Toddlers’ Mental Health in Response to Trauma was attended by 169 child care providers, social workers, mental health providers, and parents. The symposium was highly evaluated with attendees welcoming the chance to meet across agencies and disciplines."

Be sure to check the second Montgomery County contact on the webpage.

 

National Center for Trauma-Informed Care

66 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 302
Alexandria, VA 22314
E-mail: nctic@nasmhpd.org 1-866-254-4819 (Toll Free)

Offer consultation and technical assistance, and education and outreach. Website features hot topics, news and information, an event calendar, and resources including trauma-informed models for trauma-specific treatments and interventions and target groups, topic papers and resaerch, links, and other materials are provided to help educate and foster a deeper understanding of the impact of trauma.

http://www6.montgomerycountymd.gov/hhstmpl.asp?url=/content/hhs/ads...

 

PAVE Take Action – Community (three people minimum)

http://pavingtheway.net/wordpress/take-action-community/

 

ACEsConnection members in Maryland

http://acesconnection.com/profiles/members/?q=maryland

Hope some of this is helpful. Let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Good question, Jane. Hopefully some people met at the Collaboration Council's "symposium on Supporting Infants’ & Toddlers’ Mental Health in Response to Trauma."

This is an incredible list, Chris. I wonder if all these people know about each other!

Hi Chris! Thank you so much for being such a huge support and source of great information. You have no idea how much this helps feed my passionate pursuit of CSA prevention, starting in my own children's schools. I live in Montgomery County, Maryland. Sad to say as Democratic as the county is, it has a LONG LONG way to go on this issue. But I am determined, and I know in my heart I am right here. Brenda Yuen

Brenda, thank you for making these points! I always appreciate the details and perspective you bring to this topic!

Here's another story on child abuse/CSA prevention programs:

Child Abuse Prevention Program - New York

http://www.newschannel34.com/news/local/story/Child-Abuse-Preventio...

Chris, thank you for the link! The only thing that bothers me here is the reference to sex offenders as "pedophiles"! As Dr. Finkelhor has said, these are "nice guy offenders" -- a much smaller group are true pedophiles. Mislabeling them only helps confuse the public, who are so poorly informed on this issue in the first place.

But I do LOVE the educational approach. We have GOT to start somewhere, and keep the conversation going so as to normalize it.

Thanks again.

Just to update, my letter has been sent to our Superintendent (over a week ago). I don't expect a quick response since the issue is complex, and there's a lot of information I've included, to help update/educate. I never want to assume to know how much information anyone has when it comes to CSA! I have had teachers from our school system come up to support me. Next up, County Council members and other county officials. My thanks to everyone who sends current information on this topic. I am determined...

Brenda, Thanks for the update! Will be eager to hear the response you receive and also how your contacts with the County Councilmembers, et al. go.

I wanted to make sure you saw Jane's book review on 'Blind to Betrayal' by Dr. Jennifer Freyd.

http://acesconnection.com/profiles/blogs/two-new-books-of-note-rest...

It helps explain why we get such bad responses when we try to reach out. Freyd is amazing. You might remember her story:

"As an adult in the early 1990s, Freyd privately accused her father of abusing her during her childhood. Her parents co-founded the False Memory Syndrome Foundation to dispute Freyd's claims and the claims of others who they allege may have recovered false memories of childhood abuse in therapy.^[12]" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Freyd

At this point, it might be a good idea to start finding other people from the list that Chris provided and think about forming a county-wide coalition. Change doesn't come easily, but it comes when a group of people work together to show that this is an issue that many, many people care about. As someone told Dr. Felitti when he started out, a few hundred data points can be ignored, but tens of thousands cannot. So, in your case: one person, even if that person has a great idea, can be ignored, but hundreds or thousands cannot.  

Brenda, I'm so sorry to hear about the responses you've received. Please know you are not alone in the greater scheme of things. Running up against ignorance and indifference is sadly quite common esp. when one is trying to talk to their local government about this topic. It can be very discouraging to say the least. These are retraumatizations that no one, let alone survivors, should have to experience. I'm not sure if you've had a chance to explore any of the county contacts (see above) that are already familiar with trauma-informed care. At least they should know TIC "language." Also wondering if you've been in touch with PAVE. Again so sorry you for this outcome. But please know you are not alone.

Brenda,

Here's another organization I ran across. In Pennsylvania, but it looks like they may have some good advocacy tips.

FACSA | The Foundation to Abolish Child Sex Abuse

http://www.abolishsexabuse.org/

My update for this week: still no reply from the school superintendent. I contacted one of y County council members who sits on the Health & Safety Committee, and heard back from one of his representatives. She referred me to the county's VASP (Victim Assistance Program) for VICTIMS of CSA! That is all our county government has to offer on this issue! I am very, very upset. I've written back, and tried to get my point of "this is a public health issue and therefore the focus should be on prevention", along with giving them all kinds of resources to help educate. Do I feel like I am the only one pushing on this in my entire county? Yes. It is very discouraging, to put it midly.

Thank you for the additional resources, Chris. Yes, Jane, I am going to tap into the reservoir of TIC informed organizations here locally. Somebody else has GOT to be working towards this here locally. I wanted to point out a resource for YOU (for a change)! She is E. Diane Champe' Institute at https://www.edcinstitute.org/ She wants to open a trauma-informed CSA Survivor's clinic here in Maryland. I will attend her fundraiser next month to introduce myself. Sheis on Twitter as well. I think you woukd be a great resource for her. Thanks again for having my back. I don't feel so isolated in my community, knowing others are working towards the same goal.

Here's a petition started by CSA advocate, Erin Merryn.

Teach Children How to Stay Safe from Sexual Abuse

http://forcechange.com/61778/teach-children-how-to-stay-safe-from-sexual-abuse/

Please be sure to see this article from South Carolina:

Child Advocacy Center expanding outreach efforts

http://www.aikenstandard.com/article/20130316/AIK0101/130319687/1004/child-advocacy-center-expanding-outreach-efforts

 

Brenda, Thanks for that resource! I have heard of her before but did not know about her new project. Sounds great!

Thanks, Brenda. I'll contact her.

Hello & time for a "progress" report! I was slowed by a week of spring break vacation, however, I am heartened at some good news for a change: After exchanging MANY emails with one of our Mongtomery County Council Members (Phil Andrews), I am happy to report that he and his staff are now paying attention to the issues of CSA prevention (my request to enact county legislation to require county-run youth-serving organizations to show policies/procedures/guidelines which protect children from potential predators, etc)! This was not easy, as they first told me all about the county's victim assistance program (which does nothing to provide prevention). Also, while I was out of town, our school district leadership left me a voice mail in response to my letter to our school district Superintendent of schools! Seems they would like to talk about my "very important letter and issues". Dare I hope!?! I will attend the Moore Center for the Prevention of CSA's Second Symposium on CSA (at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health) on April 26th in Baltimore. Would love to meet any ACE members who plan to attend. I will also attend the E. Diane Champe' Institute's Fundraiser in Olney, MD. She hopes to open a CSA Survivor's Clinic across the US. s. Champe' and I will have lunch on Friday to talk about our State/County's inactions and poor response to trauma-informed care and prevention of childhood traumas. As always, I am energized by everything I hear, see, read, do on this topic. It is my passion. That's it for now. Brenda

Brenda, This is great news! Lots of contacts and reason for hope! Congratulations and please keep us posted. Thank you for all your hard work and tenacious spirit! You're amazing!

Today's update starts off with continued progress in reaching my local school district's leadership with prevention of childhood traumas in mind. I have now spoken with two school officials. They both expressed a desire to get together in person. Today's phone conversation ended with the idea that we will start that conversation in person next month (May). Of course, I am excited, but my excitement is tempered with a feeling that this process should be a priority. That is, I know, how *I* feel, and not necessarily how a school district stretched to the limits in terms of resources and personnel (not to mention budget) feels.

The CSA as a Public Health Issue Conference, originally scheduled for April 26th at the JHSPH's Moore Center has been cancelled. I am looking for another conference to attend this calendar year. If you know of a CSA Public Health Approach conference coming up, let me know. I am looking.

Tomorrow I will attend the E. Diane Champe' Institues' Fundraiser in Olney, MD. Looking forward to that. I am now serving on EDCI's Board of Directors.

My family will attend The Tree House's Tour de Cookie fundraiser at Montgomery College on Sunday. I am going to meet like-minded people who support the CSA issues. My husband and kids will do the bike tour. Should be fun.

Lastly, I watched the "Building Safer Communities" webinar this week and was very impressed and informed by all the good work of the ACEs community and medical leadership who are striving to improve outcomes for children and families. Great program (which I believes archived to watch online).

Brenda, Thanks so much for the update! Sounds like great progress with your local school district leadership! Wonderful news! Will look forward to hearing how it goes.

 

You're so active with all these other event/programs you are involved with. Seems like you will gain opportunities for more networking. Glad to hear you are on Diane's board. She's so amazing!

 

Always love hearing your news as you are so assertive and active in all opportunities that cross your path.

 

Great work!

That's fantastic that you're meeting with them, Brenda. Keep in mind it's a public school system -- its activities are supposed to be transparent, so a confidentiality agreement isn't necessary. 

One thing you might ask about is if the school is intending to become trauma-informed. There are other school systems that are doing so, and they address the many types of childhood adversity in many different ways. I hope that you can impress upon them that focusing on CSA alone misses all the other complex trauma that's occurring, either along with the CSA or independent from it. A child with an ACE score of 4 is likely to have many more issues in school than a child with an ACE score of 1, no matter what the ACE is. 

Jane, I am thinking they might require the confidentiality agreement before discussing anything pertaining to current employees or student population. I understand that completely. I hope we are headed in a trauma-informed direction, and that we will take on ALL exposure to childhood traumas, since they are so heavily linked. But I will let you know what happens.

Brenda, Thanks so much for the update! It's amazing how much you get done. I'll be eager to hear how May23rd goes. If you need help w/ any resources just ask. Again, amazing work, Brenda!

Long time since I last updated on my prevention efforts in Montgomery County, MD!

My local public school system has setup a May 23rd appointment with me to talk about becoming more proactive/prevention minded in our schools. It's sad that the wait is so LONG just to get the discussion started, and I hope to get to some agreement so we can move forward on this project collaboratively. There may be some restrictions placed on me as to what I can share after that meeting (confidentiality agreements, etc.). We'll see. But there's so much to do here in this county.

I attended EDCI's fundraiser and got a chance to meet with a rep from Chris Van Hollen's office on the prevention/childhood trauma/ACEs front. I also spoke with John McCarthy, Montgomery County's State Attorney General about the need for more prevention-minded laws, which should require youth-serving organizations to show their prevention strategies/practices/policies. He seemed a bit shocked at the idea, but then I reminded him how laws have worked to prevent smoking-related harm to our communities (same would old true for CSA and other hidden violence/trauma).

Hopefully there's more opportunity to meet w/other community leadership in the near future. But my May 23rd meeting with the school looms large in my mind. That would be a huge start to educate, empower, change adult minds when it comes to prevention.