Denver, Colo., Nov 10, 2004 / 22:00 pm
The Archdiocese of Denver is starting a new sexual abuse awareness program for children in its parishes. Diocesan officials expect the program to be fully implemented by March.
Nancy Walla, the Denver liaison to the U.S. Bishops' Office of Child and Youth Protection, said the safe-environment program is designed to raise children's awareness and encourage them that reporting inappropriate actions is the right thing to do.
The program is geared for students in kindergarten through 10th grade. The director of religious education and the youth director will teach it in each parish. Parents will have access to all lesson plans.
The program is among the reforms undertaken across the country following the sex-abuse scandal that erupted in the U.S. Church two years ago.