In VIRTUS training, we watched two different videos. The first video was mostly stories from children and families who had faced sexual trauma. The video also had two convicted child molesters talk about how they were able to be successful in taking advantage of a child without being caught. The second video talked about the warning signs of a child being abused or if an adult is acting suspicious and could possibly be an abuser. After each of the videos, we would break off into groups and discuss the content of the video.
I thought the VIRTUS Training was a little hard to get through because it was pretty disturbing. Growing up I had always heard stories about children being abused, but I never heard from the abuser him/herself. That's the part that was really hard to hear. The two child molesters went into detail about their ideal child to abuse and how they would get the child to trust them. Listening to these men talk sent shivers down my spine because they were so manipulative that no one ever suspected them.Though the training was disturbing, I am glad we went through it because not only will we be able to be more aware around the girls at GOTR, but we will be more aware in any life situation.
With both these trainings underneath our belts, I happy to say that my group and I are more than ready to take on our first day at Girls on the Run tomorrow! I am only slightly nervous because I do not remember the last time I have exercised. 
Your service project sounds awesome! That training sounds like it would have been very difficult to watch. Did the training talk about ways to recognize if sexual abuse is going on? If so, I would be interested to hear how to recognize it.
ReplyDeleteThe training was hard to get through, but they did cover how to recognize if sexual abuse is occurring! One of the biggest points the video made about recognizing the abuse is a difference in the child's behavior. A lot of times when a child is being sexually abused, they will begin to lose appetite at meals or may show signs of sudden mood changes. A lot of kids will act on in rage against their families or begin to keep to themselves a lot more than they did before. Another tell tale sign of abuse occurring is less interest in school work or in other hobbies the child used to enjoy before. Parents should always be looking for these signs if they suspect their child is being sexually abused. Parents should also pay close attention to how adults interact with their children to make sure there are no signs of this adult being an abuse. Some of these signs would be touching the child, not in a sexual way but a hand on the shoulder or something, giving the child gifts, or wanting to be alone with the child.These are all signs the training gave us to help recognize whether or not abuse is occurring!
ReplyDelete