Archdiocese mandating training for adults interacting with youth

GUAM
KUAM News

October 24, 2017

By Krystal Paco

Starting next month, the Archdiocese of Agana will go live with an online resource to ensure every adult that comes in contact with youth – at church or in the classroom – gets a regular refresher course on safe boundaries and mandated reporting.

Anywhere from 500 to 800 individuals who work at or with the Church will need to log on and take a refresher course. “Any adult who’s going to be in regular contact, especially in some type of leadership role with young people, must go through this training,” explained Coadjutor Archbishop Michael Byrnes upon announcing their Choice Program, one he’s used himself years ago as a priest.

“We’ve decided to adopt the Virtus online program for the protection of minors,” he stated.

The program, according to the website, provides training on the signs of child sexual abuse, methods and means by which offenders commit abuse, and easy steps one can use to prevent child sexual abuse.

To date, 130-plus clergy sexual abuse lawsuits have been filed in the local and federal courts.

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