The Monterey County Rape Crisis Center (MCRCC) is a nonprofit agency whose mission is to advocate for all victims and survivors of sexual assault and child sexual abuse, to prevent sexual violence in our community through education, and to provide ongoing support and healing to survivors of sexual assault.
 
 
 

About the Program

The Maxine Waters Act of 1984 mandates Child Abuse Prevention Education for public school children at four points in their school careers. Since 1985 the Monterey County Rape Crisis Center has been providing free classes in all public schools from Moss Landing to Big Sur. More recently the Catholic Diocese has been contracting with our agency so that the private schools can obtain this valuable information. We have also presented in local churches, group homes, and summer camps. We typically reach close to 6,000 students a year and serve roughly 50 schools in all 4 Northern Monterey County school districts.

Child abuse prevention classes are typically presented to kindergarten, 3rd, 6th and 10th grade students. Presentations provide information about child safety and abuse that is age appropriate. Parent previews are provided before elementary school presentations upon request. Funding for public schools is provided by grants from local agencies such as the United Way of Monterey County and the Harden Foundation and through individual donations. Classes are provided by trained staff in English and Spanish.

Kindergarten

The Kindergarten program consists of a two day presentation for 30 minutes each day, using language that is age appropriate. Children are taught to be careful around people they don't know well or people with whom they feel uncomfortable. The three rules they are taught are:

1. Say "No" to conversations, gifts, invitations to go somewhere or to get in a car with anyone, unless they have asked their parents or the adult in charge of them first.

2. Get away, run away from the situation and sometimes you may need to yell.

3. Always tell an adult you trust about what happened.

On the second day children are taught about the difference between safe, unsafe and confusing touches. These touches are defined as safe touches (hugs, pats on the back, high fives), unsafe touches (kicks, bites, pinches) and confusing touches (touches that may not hurt, but leave a person feeling uncomfortable or confused).

All students learn the touching rule, which is ìNobody, regardless if you know them or not should be touching your private body parts (private parts are defined as the parts of one's body that are covered by a bathing suit) unless they are doing it to keep you clean and healthy. The children brainstorm when it is okay for an adult to touch childrenís private body parts (i.e. to stay clean or healthy).

After discussion a short video is shown about a boy who learns the three safety rules.

Third Grade

The third grade program takes place on one day for 50-60 minutes. It uses language that is age appropriate.

The class begins with a review of safety rules (answering the phone or door when home alone, calling 911). Children are instructed about safety rules if they should be separated from their parents outside of the home.
The 3 safety rules introduced at the kindergarten level are briefly repeated at this grade level.

Beginning in the fall of 1999, a new component that teaches children basic guidelines for using the Internet was added to the curriculum. This curriculum teaches:

- Do not give out any personal information (name, address, phone number, name of school).

- Don't post a photo on a personal web page.

- Sign off immediately if anyone uses obscene language or asks questions that seem weird or make the person feel uncomfortable.

- Child abuse is introduced as a violation of respect for a person. Particular attention is paid to respect for one's body. If inappropriate touching does occur, children are encouraged to tell an adult they trust immediately.

- Keeping secrets about anything that makes a child feel uncomfortable is discouraged.

The program concludes with a 20 minute video about a boy who learns to speak assertively when other people take advantage of him. Afterwards students have a chance to ask questions or to speak with the presenter privately.

Sixth Grade

The sixth grade presentation takes place during one 50 minute class period.

- Safety issues are reviewed with particular attention paid to Internet Safety rules described above.

- Child abuse is presented as a violation of respect for a person. The four kinds of abuse are explained: neglect, physical abuse, emotional or verbal and sexual abuse.

The most common reasons for abuse are enumerated: drug and alcohol use, the inability to deal with frustration and anger in a responsible manner, and being raised in an abusive environment.

Students are encouraged to speak with an adult they trust if they become aware of anyone who may be abused.

Students learn to be assertive: to stand tall, look a person in the eye when speaking to him/her and to use a clear audible voice. Assertiveness is valuable to protect oneself from danger and to deal with harassment by others.

Students watch a 20 minute video in which children discuss the effects of abuse on them. After the video, students have a chance to ask questions and speak with the presenter privately, if they wish.

High School

The high school program is presented on one day for approximately 50 minutes. Students are taught to view child abuse from a social perspective.

- Why in such a wealthy country are so many children neglected?

- What leads parents to hurt their children?

- Why should they be concerned about this issue if it doesn't directly affect them?

- If they have been affected what can they do about it now?

The four kinds of abuse are reviewed. Particular emphasis is put on statistics and local cases.

The students watch a 10 minute video in which teenagers discuss the impact of abuse in their lives. After a discussion and evaluation of the program, students have an opportunity to speak with the presenter privately, if they wish.

Parent information is available by calling (831) 373-3955 in Monterey or
(831) 771-0411in Salinas or by e-mailing mcrcc@mbay.net

Parents will receive an overview of the program their children hear. Handouts that discuss child safety issues and child abuse prevention can be mailed by request. Parents also have the opportunity to watch the videos by making arrangements to come into the office.

For further information,
contact your student's school or call one of our offices:


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"Children who grow up in a family where there is domestic violence are eight times more likely to be sexually molested within that family."

"Between 33-66% of know sexual assault victims are age 15 or younger."


"Many of the women who are currently in the group therapy feel if they would have received child abuse prevention education, they could have more easily identified the abuse in their lives."

 

 
     
     
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