Teach your children abuse prevention

Posted

Children should not only be vaccinated against childhood diseases, but they should also be “vaccinated” against child abuse, according to two Jewish educators, one from New York, one from Los Angeles.

A hard-cover children’s book published by Artscroll, and available since January for a minimal fee as an audio downloadable book, and elementary school programs are among the attempts of educators to arm children in an emotional and psychological form of self-defense against potential predators.

“I want every Jewish home to have it,” said Rabbi Yakov Horowitz, Dean of Yeshiva Darchei Noam in Monsey, NY and Director of the Center for Jewish Family Life/Project YES, regarding the book. “The only way, in my opinion, we’re going to stop this tragedy, this magayfa, is if every single child is educated about it and understands that they have the right to defend their personal space.”

“I do believe that opening this up and prevention really does help,” said Debbie Fox, a licensed clinical social worker, who developed a program eight years ago, the Aleinu Safety Kids Program, with Jewish Family Service in Los Angeles. She brought the program to many communities across the United States, including Bnos Bais Yaakov in Far Rockaway. “Over 20,000 children and families, teachers and administrators were educated in that model,” she said. She speaks all over the country regarding children’s safety.

Rabbi Horowitz pointed out that the book, “Let’s Stay Safe!” written by Bracha Goetz and edited by Drs. David Pelcovits and Benzion Twerski was published in conjunction with Project Y.E.S., a division of Agudath Israel of America and is recommended by Torah Umesorah. “It’s available in every Judaica store priced moderately at about $12,” he said. “Over 19,000 have been sold in a year and a half and there were almost 100 downloads of the audio-visual version the first day” it was available. The book was reviewed by four members of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah.

Page 1 / 5