CACSEI offers classes on recognizing child abuse

Sep. 28--GREENSBURG -- On the heels of opening the new Children's Advocacy Center of Southeast Indiana facility in Greensburg, Dillsboro based CACSEI is now offering two new options for child abuse education and staff training.

An adult-oriented program reviews some of the more classic tell-tale symptoms and advice on how to react when a child discloses abuse and also discusses the first steps to take if they suspect abuse. A child-oriented version teaches children in grades K-12 age-appropriate ways to understand body safety, identifying safe adults and what to do if they are being physically or sexually abused.

In each training, CACSEI staff members with decades of expertise in conducting forensic interviews lead participants in interviewing children who have suffered alleged physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect and those who have witnessed crimes.

"Two years ago, the Indiana legislature passed Senate Bill 355 which requires all public, charter, and private schools to teach children in grades K-12 about child abuse on an annual basis," said Stephanie Back, Executive Director of CACSEI.

"We know our schools do not have a lot of time to spend researching and preparing materials in order to meet this mandated requirement. However, our research-based programs are now successfully helping local schools meet this obligation while also saving staff members and teachers a lot of time by having one of our trained professionals lead these important lessons," said Back

Both programs were made possible, in part, by the Rising Sun Regional Foundation which has helped launch the training in three southeast Indiana school districts this year.

"With their generous donation to help cover initial start-up and material costs, we've already been able to talk to over 800 students and 66 staff members," said Community Outreach and Education Specialist for CACSEI Shannon Perry,

"A child is almost always abused by someone they know, oftentimes a family member," said Associate Director of CACSEI Kelly Bridges.

"In just a short amount of time, we have already learned that when we are there teaching a classroom, the Indiana Department of Child Services sees an increase in hotline calls. These reports are then investigated and lead to a more thorough family-centered intervention and sometimes even an arrest. That's why the law requires these trainings and why they're so very important," said Bridges, a former Kindergarten and first grade teacher with a Master's Degree in Education, who quit teaching to becoming a forensic interviewer at CACSEI.

Bridges now helps lead and oversee education and abuse programs in Southeastern Indiana.

"It is truly a full circle and very meaningful moment that has been years in the making for me," she said.

School administrators and youth group leaders interested in scheduling a training should contact CACSEI at 812-432-3200 or email the center at www.cacsoutheast.org.

If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, please call 911 or the Indiana Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-800-5556.

Contact Bill Rethlake at 812-663-3111, ext 217011 or email bill.rethlake@greensburgdailynews.com

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