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Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: John Brehany, Ph.D., S.T.L.
Nov. 9, 2006 – The Catholic Medical Association (CMA) – the nation’s largest professional organization of Catholic doctors – has just released a Task Force Report entitled, “To Protect and To Prevent: The Sexual Abuse of Children and Its Prevention.” The Report analyzes sexual abuse prevention programs that have been implemented following the crisis of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. The CMA designed “To Protect and To Prevent” to be a service to the Church and society. John Brehany, Ph.D., S.T.L., Executive Director of the CMA, explained, “Following the implementation of ‘child-empowerment’ and ‘safe environment’ programs in many parishes and Catholic schools, parents and pastors raised serious questions about the appropriateness of the methodology and materials these programs used. The Catholic Medical Association responded to these questions with a resource for bishops, priests and parents that would help the Church and society to more effectively address the challenging and longstanding problem of sexual abuse.” “To Protect and To Prevent” has five major parts. Part 1 reviews public awareness of and reactions to the sexual abuse of children during the 20th century. Part 2 considers the origins of widely used prevention programs (called “child empowerment” or “safe environment” programs). After reviewing university studies of the effectiveness of these prevention programs, the Report analyzes their adequacy in light of the science of child development and in light of Church teaching on sexual morality. Part 3 surveys key, recent findings in the scientific study of child development. Parts 4 and 5 draw on this scientific background to identify potentiating factors that increase the risk of child abuse and protective factors that help to prevent child abuse, as well as to suggest alternative strategies that will be more effective in reducing the incidence of sexual abuse and will better respect the teachings of the Church. ”To Protect and To Prevent” is available from the Catholic Medical Association for $10.00. Copies may be ordered by visiting the CMA’s website, www.cathmed.org/bookstore or by calling (781) 455-0259. |
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