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Helping put an end to child sexual abuse: Advocacy Center offers free training class geared toward parents, childcare workers
By Bill Conrad, bconrad@starlocalnews.com
Child sexual abuse has been in the headlines recently in Collin County after a Plano ISD teacher was arrested for allegedly molesting a student at Hunt Elementary.
Experts say sexual abuse of children is more widespread and the majority of cases don't receive the media attention that the Plano ISD case did. To help educate parents on the warning signs of abuse and what to do if abuse is suspected, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County is offering a free training course Dec. 5.
“Even if you don’t have a child, there is almost always a child in your life,” said Janetta Michaels, vice president of operations at the Advocacy Center. “This training is geared at ripping the blinders off and debunking some of the myths around child sexual abuse.”
“We can try and prepare children to protect themselves, and we should, but the real responsibility is on adults,” she said. “This program has been really well received since it really addresses people on a personal level.”
The class will be facilitated by Lydia Connor, a forensic interviewer at the Advocacy Center. Connor is one of the people responsible for conducting interviews with potential abuse victims, giving her a deep understanding of what victims are going through. She said while the subject is not fun to discuss, this training class is something that benefits all attendees.
Connor said participants will gain an understanding of exactly what child sexual abuse is, as well as the role that parents and adults have in the process of ending abuse. She said adults are taking the first step simply by attending the training.
“We are talking about something that is so difficult to talk about and that is a huge step, and everyone is applauded for taking that step,” Connor said. “We have a group discussion. At the end of it there is a call to action about what you can do to help bring about a greater understanding about child sexual abuse.”
The Stewards of Children training class will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Children's Advocacy Center of Collin County, 2205 Los Rios Boulevard in Plano. The class is free, but a $10 donation is requested to help cover the cost of the workbook. Space is limited to 35 participants, so participants are encouraged to RSVP early, Connor said. To save a space in the class, email Connor at lconnor@caccollincounty.org.
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