“Protecting our Children: Advice From Child Molesters”

Participants will have an opportunity to review Oregon’s grassroots prevention project – “Protecting our Children: Advice From Child Molesters.” Initially developed by two veteran sex offender treatment providers, “PYC” has grown into a multi-state, multi-disciplinary child abuse prevention campaign. The project was designed to educate parents, youth service staff, educators, community volunteers and the faith community about child sexual abuse, offender behavior, risk management and more effective prevention strategies. Workshops challenge public misperceptions about children’s ability to protect themselves and promote the idea that all adults must be informed and take an active role in confronting offender behavior and promoting child safety. Information about grooming behavior, Internet crimes, victim advocacy, reporting, sexual behavior between children and talking to children about child sexual abuse are covered. Potential project benefits such as jury education and early intervention with potential offenders are expected. Classes are taught by child abuse detectives, child/victim advocates, prosecutors, probation/parole officers and sex offender treatment providers.