4Real Forums: Has anyone been to Virtus training?

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Topic: Has anyone been to Virtus training?

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kristinannie
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Posted: Sept 07 2011 at 8:14pm \| IP Logged

I had to go to Virtus because I am teaching faith formation at our parish this year. I have to say that I was horrified. We watched two videos where they interviewed sexual predators and victims of abuse. There was a little bit of information in the second video about warning signs and what we can do to prevent sexual abuse, but the majority of the videos were just gratuitous horror stories. A little disclaimer...I am a rape victim and my mom was molested as a child. I just think that this should not be required to teach faith formation. I am going to have nightmares for weeks. They gave us a booklet with very practical information. I am not sure why we couldn't have just discussed the booklet (we didn't even open it during class) instead of watching those graphic DVD's. I am wondering if this happens throughout the country or just in our diocese.

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MaryM
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Posted: Sept 08 2011 at 3:41am \| IP Logged

Kristin, I am so sorry to hear that this caused you distress. I have attended the VIRTUS training as well since safe environment programs have been mandated here if anyone will be working with youth in a parish. While I am not in your situation so it did not affect me that same way, I did not like the movies. Many people would agree. There have been some priests and at least one bishop who have spoken out about it - and the "safe touch" program directed at the youth that goes with it. But the majority of diocese are using it or something similar to show they are dealing with abuse prevention. Our diocese just swithched to a different program so is no longer using VIRUTS but I don't know how different it really is. I believe there are some other alternatives.

So I agree that I think the program spends little time focusing on the things that would be helpful for its purpose. Maybe if they heard from enough people they would consider other programs.

Praying for you to not have nightmares.

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jawgee
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Posted: Sept 08 2011 at 6:26am \| IP Logged

Kristin, praying for you.

I did "Protecting God's Children", and it sounds very similar. It's a bit foggy now since I did the class five years ago, but I remember feeling the same way about the video.

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guitarnan
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Posted: Sept 08 2011 at 8:18am \| IP Logged

Adding prayers for you!

I have been through several different types of abuse recognition/prevention training, for Scouts, daycare (state and Navy) and working in our parish. The best one I've seen is the Boy Scout program, because it focuses on appropriate behaviors and recognizing when to report. It's very practical without being scary. Sadly, my diocese uses a program that is so wimpy (everything is couched in flowery language, but there are few practical tips given) that it comes across in a very annoying way.

I do think some type of program is necessary - pretty much anyone working with children in my state (schools, daycares, rec programs, Scouts, etc.) has to go through training, so exempting parish volunteers does not make sense.

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JennGM
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Posted: Sept 08 2011 at 8:49am \| IP Logged

We have VIRTUS training here, too. As homeschoolers we can't use the church facilities for anything unless we're certified.

I'm sorry it upset you. The original training it was said you could leave the room if anything was too disturbing. I was thinking to myself that I'd be fine, but I was very upset and did have to compose myself.

The video's aim is to be emotionally hardhitting. Reading or seeing a powerpoint isn't going to bring the points home. We are shown these two men who took advantage of innocent children -- and we are supposed to be angry and upset.

While I think some aspects are needed, there is much room for improvement. I also think there should be some kind of allowance for someone in your situation.

Make sure you talk to the people in charge about your experience.

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