Smart Kids / Safe Kids

Home > Smart Kids / Safe Kids

Many parents are increasingly concerned about their children's sfaety, and with good reason. Child sexual abuse is an area of great concern to parents, especially those that are aware of the alarming statistics surrounding this problem. The Diocese of Sacramento is committeed to being a community that cares for children. Therefore we are offering several opportunities for families to learn more about how to prevent sexual abuse. We are now offering a two-part program that addresses the issue of sexual abuse prevention.

The second part of the program is entitled Smart Kids/Safe Kids, which is a one-session program for your children as part of their school or religious education curriculum. We are sensitive to the rights of the family on such a delicate subject and would like to let you know what your child will be taught. Our program uses several Scripture references as a foundation and we will address the following in grades K-6: sacredness of the body, recognizing sexual abuse and No, Go, and Tell. In grades 7-8, we cover the concept of grooming: how to recognize it, respond to it, and tell about it.

Grade K-1:

• We will discuss being made in God's image and that we are special to God. God created every part of us and our bodies are unique and private. Private parts will be identified at home as part of a homework assignment prior to the lesson.
• Sexual abuse will be defined minimally using the idea of safe touch and unsafe touch. Safe touches are those that make you feel warm and comfortable inside, versus unsafe touches that are done to cause harm.
• The third concept at this level is No, Go, and Tell. This is to teach children that it is okay to tell someone that they don't like the touches that make them feel uncomfortable or funny inside. We will teach them to say "No", to get away, and to identify a trusted adult that they can talk to should something like that occur.

Grade 2-3:

• Working from the same basic format, the identification of private parts at home will be the same, but the additional concept of our bodies being sacred is introduced.
• Sexual abuse will be defined in the same way as above.
• The change at this age group will be in the category of "No, Go, Tell". At this level, the children will have an opportunity to role play how to handle different situations. They will also be asked to identify trusted adults that they could tell/talk to if something happened.

Grade 4-6:

• Genesis 1:26-31 and being created in God's image are emphasized. Mathew 19:13-15 is the basis for discussion of why the children were so important to Jesus.
• Sexual abuse will be kept simple and will include the idea that no one has the right to touch his or her body in a way to make them uncomfortable. Again the terminology will include safe/unsafe/confusing touch. Becaus this age has a deeper undertanding of safe/unsafe touch, we will explain more about feelings, and why it's important to listen to them.
• No, Go, and Tell, will include discussion on manipulations and lures as appropriate to this age group. They will be taught the concept of Check First, an idea that comes from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. They will also be asked to identify those trusted adults that they could go to if they have something they need to tell.

Grade 7-8:

• Because of the increated maturity of this age level and a teenager's natural belief in their ability to be independent and self-sufficient, this lesson will focus primarily on "grooming". The different stages of "gromming" will be discussed as well as a discussion on feelings. Students will be encouraged to trust their instincts (feelings) and discuss any concerns or happenings with a trusted adult. The acronym BOLT will be introduced.