Meghan Carroll – Acting Deputy Head of Primary

Deborah Blackman – Keeping Our Children Safe

Last week, we welcomed Deborah Blackman to Emanuel School. She offered a parent session on Keeping Our Children Safe. Deborah is a social worker with a background in Child Protection. She has been working with some of the classes in the Primary School (and does so every year) in order to ensure our community is well informed and proactive. Deborah expressed the importance of repetition at a developmentally appropriate way. It is important to refresh and remind the children of the skills and how to apply the rules.

Deborah uses the EduCARE Model which includes students, parents and staff in the training and conversation. The program with children focuses on positive messages such as ‘safety rules’ and ‘personal safety skills’.

Some facts and statistics

–     More than 90% of perpetrators of child sexual assault are male. Whilst this is true, the program acknowledges that most men and women in the world are nice but we need to be aware of the skills to keep ourselves safe (McCloskey & Raphael, 2005)

–     85-90% of perpetrators are known to their victims therefore this program does not focus on ‘stranger danger’ (NAPCAN 2009)

–     One in 4 girls and 1 in 7 boys are sexually abused in Australia (CASA House: Statistics) http://bit.ly/2ofKano

–     Nearly 70% of all reported assaults occur to children aged 17 and under (Children’s Advocacy Centre) http://bit.ly/2wtBrBR

–     Most child victims never report the abuse. Only 3% of children will ever tell of their abuse.

–     In 98% of all reported cases, the reports from children were found to be true (NSW Child Protection Council, cited in Dympna House 1998)

–     Some cases involve the use of force or threats of violence, but most do not.

–     Abusers specifically target their victims and go through a very intentional process of getting close to the child (‘grooming process’)

–     There is no typical profile of a child sex offender.

Rules

–       Say no, go away, tell an adult

–       Bad secrets must be told

–       Private parts are private

–       Don’t do anything or go anywhere without your parent’s/teacher’s permission.

–       If you need help, ask a parent eg. If you are lost in a shop  choose an adult from someone who is there with a child.

Strategies for parents

–       Believe your children if they report to you

–       Validate your child’s feelings

–       Keep communication open

–       Your child can trust you, tell your child who else they can trust

–       Create a list of safe people eg. to go into the car with after school

–       Minimise opportunity – reduce times your child is with an adult 1:1 who you don’t know.

–       Discuss and role play situations.

Responding to disclosures

–       Be open and available

–       Stay calm – don’t overreact, don’t underreact

–       “I am so sorry that his happened to you but it is good that you told me.”

–       Remind children that children are not at fault and that nothing is too terrible to tell

–       Don’t make negative comments about the alleged perpetrator. Focus on the child.

–       If a child wants to talk about abuse, listen carefully and as soon as you can, write everything down.

Thank you to everyone who could make it to Deborah’s session. If you were unable to join us, I encourage you to download the handouts from the session and review the content with your children.

Father’s Day

Thank you to the P&F for their amazing efforts for Father’s Day. The breakfast was delicious and such a lovely opportunity to thank and celebrate our fathers, grandfathers and special friends. Thank you to the P&F for also organising the gift stall too. The children were thrilled to be able to choose gifts for Sunday. We wishing you a happy Father’s Day and hope you enjoy a beautiful weekend together.

Year 3-5 Sport and Recreation Camp

Next week, students in Years 3, 4 and 5 will be heading to Point Wolstoncroft for our annual Sport and Recreation Camp. This is always an excellent opportunity to develop skills and relationships while enjoying the outdoors and exploring new activities. We are excited to spend a few days with the children and look forward to sharing our adventures with you upon our return. Our staff love spending time on camp but it is an additional commitment away from their families and lives. I thank them in advance for their care, enthusiasm and dedication.

Just a reminder that children need to be at school by 7.15 am on Wednesday morning. Please remember to say goodbye at the gate. Students can then take their belongings and meet in their designated areas:

• Year 3 – Waxman Drive
• Year 4 – Pizem Courtyard
• Year 5 – PAC