Eight Things Children Can Do

To Help Create and Maintain

Safe Environments at Church and at School

Laws and rules are at the service of a community as well as individuals. Given the unique needs of children and teenagers in relation to the rest of the Christian community, it is not surprising that in the Church we place the needs of our children and teenagers first. Our laws and rules are at the service of our children and teenagers.

Children can help maintain a safe environment by following certain rules. Children need to know that:

1. We can and should discuss anything that happens to us that makes us feel uncomfortable, confused, or upset in any way. Usually we talk to one of our parents, but we can also talk to a teacher, a school nurse, or another adult we can trust.

2. Some areas of our bodies are private areas. Private areas are those areas of our bodies covered by a swimsuit. These private areas should be touched only by very few people, such as a doctor. If we are touched in a way we do not want to be touched we tell our parents or an adult we trust. We need to remember that if an adult touches us in a place we do not want to be touched, that adult is wrong. It is never a child’s fault when an adult does something wrong.

3. We do not talk to or ride in cars with people we do not know. We do not accept gifts from adults we do not know.

4. When we go on field trips, we stay close to each other and we do not wander away from our parents or teachers. We always remember to have permission slips signed by our parents or guardians that allow us to go on field trips. If there is no permission slip, then there is no field trip.

5. If we see a friend doing something that could be bad for our friend, we tell our friend to stop. If he or she keeps doing it, we tell our parents or another adult. If a friend tells us that another person is making him or her feel uncomfortable, confused, or upset in any way, we tell this to an adult who can help, like our parents or a teacher.

6. If someone around us makes us uncomfortable or worried, we should tell our parents or another adult we trust.

7. We do not wander off alone to lonely or secluded places. We always keep an adult we trust within sight. Before we leave the area of the adult in charge, we must ask permission of the adult.

8. We treat other people the way we would want to be treated. We do not treat other people as objects. We do not use other people to get what we want.