Child Sexual Abuse Prevention & Identification Training Courses
- Matt Komac, Assistant Director - PC Pool Operations
Sexual abuse in educational settings is a deeply concerning issue that can have devastating effects on students, families, and entire communities. Montana, like other states, has faced its share of challenges in this regard. However, by implementing proactive measures and fostering a culture of vigilance and accountability, schools can significantly reduce the risk of sexual abuse incidents in our schools.
As an educator, you potentially play a significant role in identifying, reporting, and preventing child sexual abuse. This is because schools represent a place where abuse happens and where its unfortunate effects on children often manifest. And the problem of child sexual abuse is more widespread and severe than many of us may wish to acknowledge. According to recent research—
- 1 out of 5 girls and 1 out of 20 boys is a victim of child sexual abuse.
- More than 90% of abusers are people children know and trust.
- Nearly 10% of 8-11 graders surveyed say they were sexually abused at some point during their education, either by another student or by a school representative.
As disturbing as these statistics are, it should further be noted that nearly 80% of sexual assault cases are never reported.
Unsettling statistics like these beg the question, what can be done, and what can we, as members of a caring Montana educational community do to help? For starters, schools must establish clear and comprehensive policies that prohibit all forms of sexual misconduct and that outline procedures for reporting and addressing allegations. These policies should be readily accessible to staff, students, and parents. Moreover, regular training sessions focused on recognizing signs of abuse, establishing appropriate boundaries, and reporting protocols should be mandatory for all school personnel.
MSGIA provides unlimited access to several SafeSchools Online Training Courses to help staff learn to identify and prevent child sexual abuse. These include –
23 Social and Behavioral Courses
- Child Abuse: Identification & Intervention
- Child Abuse: Mandatory Reporting
- Human Trafficking Awareness
22 Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Courses
- Introduction to the Child Sexual Abuse Pandemic
- Grooming – Part 1 & Part 2 (Elementary)
- Grooming – Part 1 & Part 2 (Middle School)
- Grooming – Part 1 & Part 2 (High School)
- Electronic & Social Media Boundaries
- On-site Isolation Boundaries – Part 1 & Part 2
- Off-site boundaries
We strongly encourage our members to take these free MSGIA-funded courses available to help them become a part of the solution to end childhood sexual abuse. Return to newsletter