The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) will be hosting a free information session for parents/guardians and community members focused on protecting children from the risk of sexual abuse on Thursday, October 10.
The OCDSB recognizes that our commitment to creating safe environments includes reducing the risk of child sexual abuse. The event is part of a broader effort across the OCDSB focusing on this subject. In addition to the parent information session, on the October 11th PA Day, all school-based staff will participate in a mandatory learning program through the Canadian Centre for Child Protection’s Commit to Kids program. The program is designed to ensure a better understanding of child sexual abuse, how to evaluate risks and establish boundaries, and how to discuss and address concerning behaviours.
An estimated 1 in 10 Canadians reported being sexually victimized before they turned 18. In the majority of child sexual abuse cases, the offender was known to the child. Building awareness and developing strategies to mitigate this risk is vital to safeguard children. These are difficult, but important conversations to support parents, community members and staff to understand the issue of child sexual abuse and how we can work together to protect boys and girls.
Speaker: Karyn Kibsey, Manager of Training and Education, Canadian Centre for Child Protection
What: This session is intended to help parents/guardians better understand the issue of child sexual abuse. Topics covered include the scope of child sexual abuse, personal boundaries, adult supervision, children’s use of internet-enabled devices, concerning sexual behaviour in children, what to talk to your child about, and reporting.
When: Thursday, October 10, 2019 from 7:00-9:00 pm
Where: Earl of March Secondary School, 4 The Pkwy, Kanata, ON K2K 1Y4
Further details: This is a free event with no registration required. Given the nature of the topics being discussed, the session is intended for an adult audience.
Unfortunately we are unable to record this session or provide a livestream. For parents unable to attend, but interested to learn more, the Canadian Centre for Child Protection has free resources and information available for parents/guardians that address a variety of child protection considerations. For example, Protecting Your Child is a resource intended to help parents/guardians better understand the issue of child sexual abuse and covers the topics that will be addressed at the information session.
To learn more about the OCDSB speaker series, visit: https://ocdsb.ca/cms/One.aspx?portalId=55478&pageId=238219
About Commit to Kids
Commit to Kids is a program of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection. It helps child-serving organizations reduce the risk of sexual abuse and create safer environments for children in their care. The program’s tools provide organizations with information on the issue of child sexual abuse which forms the basis for educated policies and procedures — from hiring and screening to reporting and staff training. This enables all employees and volunteers throughout an organization to uphold standards of conduct that protect children and youth in their care by focusing on healthy interaction between adults and children. Learn more: https://commit2kids.ca/en/