Protecting our children
A new program to help reduce the incidence of child sexual abuse is set to be introduced to Jewish schools and youth movements.
A NEW program to help reduce incidences of sexual abuse against children is set to be introduced to Jewish schools and youth movements.
The Project J-Safe: Tots to Teens program aims to promote disclosure, empower children, and prevent abuse before it begins.
It has been developed by a team of teachers and social workers for Jewish victims advocacy group Tzedek.
CEO Dr Michelle Meyer said the program aims to promote disclosure; prevent and reduce the negative outcomes of long-term abuse; stop abuse before it begins, empower children, parents, school staff and youth movement participants; and promote cultural change within the community.
“The King David School has been the first Jewish school to use the Tzedek model,” said Meyer. “This new program will empower children and youth of all ages to say no, or to tell a trusted adult if their wellbeing is being compromised.
“We want to promote the message that there’s nothing so awful that you can’t tell someone about it.”
She added, “The program will help children develop a safety network of trusted adults in whom they can confide, improve their communication skills to talk about their bodies, and increase their understanding of healthy, respectful relationships,” she said.
“By teaching them to identify and express their own personal boundaries, we hope to given them the knowledge and wherewithal to recognise abusive situations.”
For more information, visit www.tzedek.org.au.
AJN STAFF
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