'Virtus' aims to prevent sex abuse

A list of five steps to prevent child sexual abuse flash across the TV screen:

* Know the warning signs of abuse...

* Control who has access to your children...

* Monitor all programs in which children are involved...

* Be aware of what's going on in your children's lives...

* Communicate your concerns....

The list is the focal point in Virtus, a new program the Albany Diocese has adopted in light of the clergy sexual abuse crisis. It is part of the Diocese's ongoing implementation of the U.S. bishops' "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People."

Education

The Virtus program trains people who work with children to recognize signs of abuse and to create a safe environment so that abuse doesn't occur.

"It's an educational program, a `best practices' program," said Sister Kathleen Turley, diocesan chancellor for planning.

The Latin word "Virtus" is translated as "valor, moral strength, excellence or worth." The Virtus program, which was created by the National Catholic Risk Retention Group (NCRRG) specifically for Catholic institutions, actually existed before the U.S. bishops wrote their abuse charter.

When the Albany Diocese contacted the NCRRG about using Virtus, it took each article in the abuse charter and outlined how the Virtus materials addressed it. In New York State, the program is also being used by the dioceses of Brooklyn and Rockville Centre.

Training sessions

Virtus' main program is "Protecting God's Children," a video-based training program for anyone who works with children; it covers awareness of abuse and procedures on reporting it.

All employees and volunteers in the Diocese who work directly with children will be required to complete the three- to four-hour training session. The training will not be mandatory for other employees, but it is recommended.

Two weeks ago, the Diocese held its first training session for facilitators who will present the program in their parishes, schools, agencies and the like. Facilitator training will be held in different areas of the Diocese until everyone in leadership positions has the chance to attend. Parents can also receive training.

On Feb. 20, two presentations by the Virtus staff for Church leaders -- pastors, parish staff, school principals and Pastoral Center staff -- will be held at St. Clare's parish in Colonie.

Everyone currently working in the Diocese is expected to have had the opportunity to attend a Virtus training session by the end of 2003. In the future, new employees of the Diocese will also have to attend an orientation that includes the "Protecting God's Children" program.

General use

Sister Marilyn Murray, RSM, diocesan human resources director, noted that Virtus isn't just about abuse by clergy.

"Priests are a very small percentage of child abusers," she explained. "There are many children abused by other people, [and adults] don't recognize the signs."

In addition to "Protecting God's Children," the Virtus program includes online resources and a newsletter to give participants ongoing information on abuse prevention. Materials are also available in Spanish.

With such thorough education, said Sister Marilyn, "anybody that is an abuser is going to think twice" about offending, and people wondering if a child they know is being abused will not be able to sit back and not act on that knowledge.

Sister Kathleen added that with all the media coverage of clergy abuse, Catholics in the Albany Diocese have been looking to diocesan officials to do something constructive to prevent abuse from ever happening again. People want to be involved in stopping abuse, she said, and "the first step is to give people the education they need."

(For more about Virtus, go to www.virtus.org. To learn more about Virtus' use in the Albany Diocese or sign up for the Feb. 20 training session, call the Diocese's human resources department, 453-6635.)

(02-13-03) [[In-content Ad]]