Entrusted To Our Care

1. Entrusted To Our Care Adult Volunteer Training How to Protect Our Children and Vulnerable Adults From Abuse

2. Let Us Pray

3. Preventing Sexual Abuse The Catholic Diocese of Spokane is committed to providing a safe environment for all children and vulnerable adults in our care. In order to effectively facilitate this safe environment, all personnel and volunteers are required to undergo Sexual Abuse Prevention Training and to become familiar with our Diocesan Code of Conduct.

4. Preventing Sexual Abuse The Diocese is also committed to providing a Personal Safety education program to all children attending our Catholic schools and religious education programs and ongoing sexual abuse prevention training for all of their parents/guardians.

5. Training OutcomesParticipants will: • Identify signs and symptoms of abuse • Describe sexual predator characteristics • Describe how to properly respond to disclosure • Describe the reporting process • Have a basic understanding of the Diocesan Administrative Policy for Responding to Allegations of Sexual Abuse and Inappropriate Behavior By Church Personnel • Have a basic understanding of the Diocesan Code of Conduct.

6. Boundary Violations

7. Sexual abuse is a serious boundary violation!!!

8. DEFINITION OF A BOUNDARY Boundaries are limits that allow for a safe connection based on need.

9. What is child sexual abuse? Child sexual abuse is the use of a child for sexual purposes by an adult or older, more powerful person, including an older child. Child sexual abuse is called incest when it happens between family members.

10. There are many forms of sexual abuse that do not involve touching the child: • Asking a child to touch someone else’s private parts • Exposing oneself to a child • Making obscene phone calls to a child • Taking photographs of a child for sexual purposes • Communicating with a child in a sexual way via e-mail or the Internet • Showing a child sexually explicit materials or making a child watch others engaged in sexual acts

11. Child Pornography: Washington State Law A person is guilty of sexual exploitation of a minor if the person:     (a) Compels a minor by threat or force to engage in sexually explicit conduct, knowing that such conduct will be photographed or part of a live performance;     (b) Aids, invites, employs, authorizes, or causes a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct, knowing that such conduct will be photographed or part of a live performance;      (c) Being a parent, legal guardian, or person having custody or control of a minor, permits the minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct, knowing that the conduct will be photographed or part of a live performance.

12. Child Pornography: Washington State Law A person commits the crime of dealing in depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct in the first degree when he or she:Knowingly develops, duplicates, publishes, prints, disseminates, exchanges, finances, attempts to finance, or sells a visual or printed matter that depicts a minor engaged in an act of sexually explicit conduct. Possesses with intent to develop, duplicate, publish, print, disseminate, exchange, or sell any visual or printed matter that depicts a minor engaged in an act of sexually explicit conduct.

13. Child Pornography: Washington State Law A person commits the crime of sending or bringing into the state depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct in the first degree when he or she knowingly sends or causes to be sent, or brings or causes to be brought, into this state for sale or distribution, a visual or printed matter that depicts a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.For the purposes of determining the unit of prosecution under this subsection, each depiction or image of visual or printed matter constitutes a separate offense.

14. Child Pornography: Washington State Law A person commits the crime of possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct in the first degree when he or she knowingly possesses a visual or printed matter depicting a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. For the purposes of determining the unit of prosecution under this subsection, each depiction or image of visual or printed matter constitutes a separate offense

15. Child Pornography: Washington State Law A person who intentionally views over the internet visual or printed matter depicting a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct is guilty of viewing depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct in the first degree, a class B felony punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.

16. Reporting A person who, in the course of processing or producing visual or printed matter either privately or commercially, has reasonable cause to believe that the visual or printed matter submitted for processing or producing depicts a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct shall immediately report such incident, or cause a report to be made, to the proper law enforcement agency. Persons failing to do so are guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

17. Reporting If, in the course of repairing, modifying, or maintaining a computer that has been submitted either privately or commercially for repair, modification, or maintenance, a person has reasonable cause to believe that the computer stores visual or printed matter that depicts a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, the person performing the repair, modification, or maintenance may report such incident, or cause a report to be made, to the proper law enforcement agency.A person who makes a report in good faith under this section is immune from civil liability resulting from the report.

18. COMMON FACTS ABOUT CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE • Boys, as well as girls are at risk. • Victims can be of any age. Young children are especially at risk. • Incest and sexual assault are problems in all socio-economic classes. • Sexual abuse crosses racial, educational and religious beliefs. • Children very rarely make up stories about sexual abuse. • Offenders often blame the victim for provoking the sexual assault. • The offender, not the victim, is at fault for violating the rights of another person.

19. Who is a Vulnerable Adult? A vulnerable adult is defined by law in Washington State as: • a person 60 years of age or older who lacks the functional, physical, or mental ability to care for him or herself; • an adult with a developmental disability per 71A.10.020; • an adult with a legal guardian per 11.88 RCW; • an adult living in a long-term care facility (an adult family home, boarding home or nursing home); • an adult living in their own or family’s home receiving services from an agency or contracted individual provider; or • an adult self-directing their care per law (74.39.050 RCW)

20. Abuse/Mistreatment of a Vulnerable Adult Defined Definitions in state law vary considerably from state to state in terms of what constitutes abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult. Researchers also have used varying definitions to describe and study the problem. Broadly defined, however, there are three basic categories of abuse: • Domestic abuse • Institutional abuse • Self-neglect or self-abuse While state definitions may vary, in most states, definitions of abuse of a vulnerable adult generally fall within these three categories.

21. Domestic Abuse Domestic abuse generally refers to any of several forms of maltreatment of a vulnerable adult by someone who has a special relationship with the person (a spouse, a sibling, a child, a friend, or a caregiver), that occur in the vulnerable adult’s home, or in the home of a caregiver.

22. Institutional Abuse Institutional abuse, on the other hand, generally refers to abuse that occurs in residential facilities for these persons (e.g., nursing homes, foster homes, group homes, board and care facilities). Perpetrators of institutional abuse usually are persons who have a legal or contractual obligation to provide the victims with care and protection (e.g., paid caregivers, staff, professionals).

23. Self-Neglect or Self-Abuse Self-neglect is characterized as the behavior of a vulnerable adult that threatens his/her own health or safety. Self-neglect generally manifests itself in the person as a refusal or failure to provide himself/herself with adequate food, water, clothing, shelter, personal hygiene, medication (when indicated), and safety precautions.

24. Child Sexual Abuse

25. WHAT WE FEAR • A dangerous weird stranger. • Isolated incident. • Out of the blue. • Rare and extreme. • A violent attack. WHAT IS MORE LIKELY TO HAPPEN • A person they know, a relative or friend of the family, is more often the offender (85% of the cases). • Over and over again. • A situation that develops over a period of time. • Frequent incidents. There are many forms of sexual assault. • Subtle, rather than extreme force.

26. There’s a New Stranger Danger! Many predators are now scanning personal social network sites (e.g. My Space, Facebook) to find their next victims. Young adolescents can be easy prey to these very devious predators.

27. SEXUAL PREDATOR CHARACTERISTICS BE AWARE: • of family patterns: many times child abuse in families is inter-generational. The abused becomes the abuser. • of why an individual wants to work with children; many abusers want to work with children because they are sweet, innocent or non-judgmental. Many times the child-focused adult wants to work with children to fulfill his need for love, affection and control. • of the individual who spends most of his leisure time participating in child activities or spends all free time with children.

28. of the individual who has a preference or reservations about working with a particular age group. Many times sexual abusers have preference for a particular aged child. Some have a preference for a certain gender, physical trait, personality characteristics. • of an individual who has a need to control. Listen carefully to the individual and note signs that the individual may use psychological abuse to discipline. • inappropriate behaviors which demonstrate a lack of respect for children and adult’s feelings and thoughts.

29. of the individual who advocates keeping secrets. Individuals should be aware of the difference between secrets and surprises. • of the individual who is too anxious, too charming, too perfect and too good to be true. They probably are. Information adapted from the YMCA Abuse Training

30. Common Grooming TechniquesThe sexual abuser: • Begins the grooming process with a trust-building period. • Gains the friendship of a child • Slowly breaks down the victim’s guard against inappropriate touching and sexual contact • May threaten the victim in order to keep “the secret” • Seeks out potential victims who have low self-esteem • Gains the trust of the victim’s parent(s) • Invites the victim on overnights and gives the victim gifts

31. “This is our secret!” It is very important for the predator to keep the child from telling! As a result, the child is often threatened: “If you tell, no one will believe you and you will be in serious trouble!” “If you tell, I will kill you!”

32. SIGNS OF SEXUAL ABUSE Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the child: • Has difficulty walking or sitting • Suddenly refuses to change for gym or to participate in physical activities • Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior. • Becomes pregnant or contracts an STD, particularly if under age of 14 • Runs away, or • Reports sexual abuse by a parent or another adult caregiver

33. THE CHILD • Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance • Has learning problems that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes • Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen • Lacks adult supervision • Is overly compliant, an overachiever, or too responsible • Comes to school early, stays late, and does not want to go home

34. THE CHILD may… • Exhibit Signs of Stress • Experience Insomnia • Experience Depression • Exhibit Seductive Behavior • Become Passive or Withdrawn • Make References to an Adult Friend

35. SIGNS OF SEXUAL ABUSE Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the parent or caregiver: • Is unduly protective of the child, severely limits the child's contact with other children, especially of the opposite sex • Is secretive and isolated, or • Describes marital difficulties involving family power struggles or sexual relations

36. FAMILY INDICATORS • Extreme paternal dominance and restrictiveness • Family isolated from community and support systems emotionally and/or physically • Lack of boundaries • Marked role reversal between mother and child • History of above for either parent

37. SPECIAL VULNERABILITY “Let’s be special friends” • Appeals to: • Lonely Child • Troubled Child

38. SOCIALIZATION • “Be polite” Sometimes it may be OK notto be polite. • “Don’t tattle” Sometimes you must tell. • “Mind the baby-sitter” Sometimes baby-sitters are abusers.

39. Abuse of Vulnerable Adults • Physical Abuse • Sexual Abuse • Emotional Abuse • Abandonment • Financial Exploitation • Self-Neglect

40. Signs and Symptoms of Physical Abuse • bruises, black eyes, welts, lacerations, and rope marks; • bone fractures, broken bones, and skull fractures; • open wounds, cuts, punctures, untreated injuries in various stages of healing; • sprains, dislocations, and internal injuries/bleeding;

41. Signs and Symptoms of Physical Abuse • broken eyeglasses/frames, physical signs of being subjected to punishment, and signs of being restrained; • laboratory findings of medication overdose or under utilization of prescribed drugs; • an vulnerable adult’s report of being hit, slapped, kicked, or mistreated; • sudden changes in behavior; and • the caregiver's refusal to allow visitors to see the vulnerable adult alone.

42. Signs and Symptoms of Sexual Abuse • bruises around the breasts or genital area; • unexplained venereal disease or genital infections; • unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding; • torn, stained, or bloody underclothing; and • an vulnerable adult’s report of being sexually assaulted or raped.

43. Signs and Symptoms of Emotional or Psychological Abuse • being emotionally upset or agitated; • being extremely withdrawn and non communicative or non responsive; • unusual behavior usually attributed to dementia (e.g., sucking, biting, rocking); and • A vulnerable adult’s report of being verbally or emotionally mistreated.

44. Signs and Symptoms of Abandonment • the desertion of a vulnerable adult at a hospital, a nursing facility, or other similar institution; • the desertion of a vulnerable adult at a shopping center or other public location; and • A vulnerable adult’s own report of being abandoned.

45. Signs and Symptoms of Financial or Material Exploitation • sudden changes in bank account or banking practice, including an unexplained withdrawal of large sums of money by a person accompanying the vulnerable adult; • the inclusion of additional names on the vulnerable adult's bank signature card; • unauthorized withdrawal of the vulnerable adult's funds using the vulnerable adult’s ATM card; • abrupt changes in a will or other financial documents; • unexplained disappearance of funds or valuable possessions;

46. Signs and Symptoms of Financial or Material Exploitation • substandard care being provided or bills unpaid despite the availability of adequate financial resources; • discovery of the vulnerable adult’s signature being forged for financial transactions or for the titles of his/her possessions; • sudden appearance of previously uninvolved relatives claiming their rights to the vulnerable adult's affairs and possessions; • unexplained sudden transfer of assets to a family member or someone outside the family; • the provision of services that are not necessary; and • a vulnerable adult's report of financial exploitation.

47. Signs and Symptoms of Self-Neglect • dehydration, malnutrition, untreated or improperly attended medical conditions, and poor personal hygiene; • hazardous or unsafe living conditions/arrangements (e.g., improper wiring, no indoor plumbing, no heat, no running water); • unsanitary or unclean living quarters (e.g., animal/insect infestation, no functioning toilet, fecal/urine smell); • inappropriate and/or inadequate clothing, lack of the necessary medical aids (e.g., eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures); and • grossly inadequate housing or homelessness.

48. IGNORANCE A general lack of information and knowledge regarding the abuse of children and vulnerable adults increases the risk of abuse and provides opportunity for the predator.

49. Education is the Key! Children who have had Personal Safety education are more likely to report that they are being sexually abused.

50. Education is the Key! Adults who have been trained about abuse can be the eyes and ears within our communities that will be sensitive to the possible abuse of our children and vulnerable adults and , as a result, will make our communities safer for all.