VIRTUS - Protecting God's Children for Adults

Upcoming VIRTUS Class
Prince of Peace parish will sponsor a community education awareness session for adults on Monday, September 15, from 6:00—10:00 pm. The class will be held in the Marian Room. All adult volunteers who interact with children are required to attend. To register, go online to www.virtus.org. (Class size is limited to 40 max.)
 

Every adult connected with a parish, school or agency in the Catholic Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has an opportunity to attend a forum designed to prevent the abuse of children. The word virtus derives from Latin, and means valor, moral strength, excellence, and worth. In ancient times, virtus denoted a way of life and manner of behavior that always aspired to the highest, most positive attributes of people and aspects of human interaction. The VIRTUS program identifies the warning signs of abuse and teaches strategies for maintaining safe environments for children.

When adults who interact with children increase their awareness of child sexual abuse, they form a shield that protects children. That shield is a network of adults alert to potentially abusive situations and children with the confidence to speak up. Participants will learn how to discuss different aspects of abuse, including sexual abuse, with children and how to teach them to protect themselves.

In addition to the community forums, the Archdiocese requires all employees and volunteers who work with children to complete the training. To strengthen the program, each participant is expected to participate in an online continuing education program.

Enhanced by a series of videotaped statements from abuse perpetrators, child victims, and parents, the three-hour sessions will be scheduled for parishes throughout the archdiocese. These awareness sessions will be available in both English and Spanish. They will be lead by people from our Archdiocese specially trained as facilitators. Sessions will be publicized through parishes, schools and in the LEAVEN. (from www.archkck.org)

Sessions hosted at Prince of Peace will be posted at this site and announced in the bulletin as they are scheduled. It is necessary to pre-register for the session you plan to attend. Using the Internet, go to www.virtusonline.org

Questions about Registration? Contact our parish coordinator, Tammy Johnston, at 829-1147 or the Archdiocesan coordinators, Susan Carroll, at 647-0304 or Rita Herken, at 647-0312.