Child abuse prevention classes

Fannin County, Texas -- The Fannin County Children's Center is offering free child abuse prevention classes for adults. The classes are ideal for parents, teachers, day care workers, coaches, Sunday School teachers, youth leaders and others who work with children and youth.

The class called “Recognizing & Reporting” utilizes video, class discussion and case studies. Learning objectives include: the realities of child abuse, detailing who becomes victims, who the likely perpetrators are and the prevalence of abuse in all communities, the legal definitions, signs and symptoms of child abuse, how to communicate with a child who makes a disclosure of abuse, how to make a report and how to overcome one's fear's and barriers around reporting. This class will be offered on Monday, January 14 from 6:00 p.m.- 7:30 p.m. at the Children’s Center.

The class called “Stewards of Children” utilizes video, interactive workbooks and class discussion. Topics covered include how to recognize signs and symptoms of child sexual abuse, how to react to a child making a disclosure of sexual abuse, as well as steps that individuals and organizations can take to prevent sexual abuse of children. This class will be offered for free on Thursday, January 10 from 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. at the Children’s Center.

All classes will be held at the Children’s Center at 112 West Fifth Street in Bonham. All participants who successfully complete the class will receive a certificate. Thanks to generous donors, there is no charge for the classes. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Register on-line at www.fanninccc.org.