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Date: May 14, 2008 Attention: ASCIP District Contacts From: Donna Abersman, Deputy Chief Executive Officer/COO Subject: Assistance with Risk Management of Sexual Molestation Download a printer-friendly version. As we are all keenly aware, child abuse and sexual molestation are a continuous threat to children in our society; and, regrettably, many of these crimes occur in our schools. This risk is extremely difficult to control, but the stakes in terms of human suffering make it imperative that we continue our vigorous assault on this behavior to make our schools safe for our students. Given the proliferation of recent local and national media reports, we want to take this opportunity to remind you of several of the risk management programs available from ASCIP which we believe may significantly assist our districts in the reduction of this threat. We are committed to providing assistance free of charge or-in the case of prolonged programs-at a significantly subsidized cost: WeTell/DoTell: In most all cases of child molestation in a school, subsequent investigation shows that both students and adults were suspicious of the behavior of the perpetrator. While we are aware of the "proper and legal" protocols for reporting child abuse, experts tell us that the creation of an anonymous reporting channel is highly desirable and will more likely result in suspicious behavior being reported. In conjunction with the anonymous reporting agency, WeTip, ASCIP has created a sophisticated reporting system which allows telephonic and on-line reporting of child abuse by children and adults. To date, this line has been used extensively by ASCIP member districts, and we would be happy to arrange an orientation for your District to implement a WeTell/Do Tell anonymous reporting hotline. Training CD: Mounting an Assault Against Sexual Molestation: ASCIP has produced a training video which addresses this risk and provides strategies for school plant design and policy/procedure evaluation and implementation to reduce the likelihood of undetected molestations. Produced in conjunction with a nationally recognized firm with expertise in child molestation prevention (AGOS), this video may be used as a stand-alone training aid for use by your staff or in conjunction with live presentations by AGOS or by ASCIP's CEO and Deputy CEO. VIPs/Keynote Speaker Program: For the past eight years, ASCIP has worked with a number of our speaker-partners such as Michael Pritchard and Billy Riggs who, in conjunction with presenting keynote addresses for our districts' in-services and administrative retreats, also "plug" ASCIP's training resources for the prevention of child molestation, WeTEll, DoTell and VIPs. ASCIP will contribute substantially toward the cost of these speakers to assist your district in providing keynotes or training programs and highlighting the need for ongoing, effective molestation prevention and awareness education. Special Training Programs: ASCIP has created and sponsored special, intensive training intervention programs for districts which have had severe or recurring problems related to sexual molestation/abuse of children. We will work cooperatively with your staff, counsel, and ancillary agencies to design and implement sexual molestation prevention programs. For additional information about any of these programs--or to discuss and evaluate alternative interventions which you may be considering and for which you need funding assistance--please call Reshan Cooray at (562) 404-8029. Reshan will be happy to work with your district to enhance your efforts to combat this threat and increase the likelihood that your plants and operations will not provide a haven for the sexual assault of children. |