Another mandate of the U.S. Bishops Charter is the implementation of a curriculum for children (grades 1 through 12) which will assist them in avoiding people, places and circumstances that might allow them to be victim of sexual exploitation and abuse. Parents and other church volunteers who have attended the Seminar for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse have asked how they can empower their children with this same knowledge and awareness that they have gained as a result of the seminar.

After considering and reviewing five different safe environment programs for children, the Diocese of Salina chose the Child Lures Prevention program. The Child Lures Prevention program centers around the 17 lures or tricks child abusers employ to lure children into situations where they can be physically and sexually abused.

Child Lures Prevention program has already been implemented in over 1,000 school districts both public and private, it is used in 103 law enforcement agencies, 50 military bases, and over 20 Catholic dioceses. Child Lures Prevention was the only program recently recognized by the White House in their conference on Missing and Exploited Children. This program is also endorsed by the National Association of Elementary and Secondary Schools.

The Diocese of Salina chose Child Lures Prevention because it is a well tested program that contains very practical information for children and young people. The teaching aids and guides are also very teacher friendly. A parent handbook is also provided to all parents to assist them if they want to provide follow-up in the home. This handbook also helps parents to be informed about the content of the Child Lures Prevention.

Kenneth Wooden is the creator of the Child Lures Prevention. In November 2004 he conducted an in-service training for all Catholic school teachers in the Diocese of Salina. While he was in the Diocese we receive permission to videotape his presentation for future training. Child Lures Prevention is also being employed in our parish religious education programs. Mr. Wooden’s videotaped presentation has been shown to parish religious education coordinators and those involved in parish catechetical ministry to assist them in implementing this program. Training packets which include training videos and teacher manuals have been distributed to all Catholic schools in the diocese as well as parish religious education programs.