Contact: John Moynihan, jmoynihan@votf.org, (617) 558-5252, (617) 680-2131 cell

For Immediate release

December 5, 2007 - Voice of the Faithful applauds the innovative approach represented by the new coloring book on child safety put out by the Archdiocese of New York. But as with any innovation, there are some ways this first step could be improved.

 The coloring book presents important information to children about safe practices in a manner they should easily understand. It also includes some of the authority figures who might, under the guise of their positions, initiate abuse. But it falls short in depicting the seductive nature of abusers. “The book depicts all of the aggressors as sinister men,” noted Mary Pat Fox, President of Voice of the Faithful, “when in fact we know that abusers do not have a common description, often do not appear to be sinister, and frequently are attractive figures. Children must be made aware that an unsafe person also could be an attractive woman or man who approaches them in a kind and solicitous manner. The grooming process that lures children into a false sense of security is a significant part of an abuser’s process and success,” she added.

 Ms. Fox also noted the importance of educating children today in the hopes that we can one day prevent all abuse. “Researchers in the U.S. have reported that one out of four girls and one out of five boys will be abused by the time they are 18. This is an epidemic of abuse that should not be tolerated. To do that, we must educate children not only about the abuse that can happen in schools, on playgrounds and in church, but also from relatives and in the home.”

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Press contact

John Moynihan (617) 558-5252, (617) 680 2131 ©

About Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) VOTF is a worldwide movement of concerned mainstream Catholics formed in response to the clergy sexual abuse crisis. The group’s mission is to provide a prayerful voice, attentive to the Spirit, through which the Faithful can actively participate in the governance and guidance of the Catholic Church. Its goals are to support survivors of clergy sexual abuse, support priests of integrity, and shape structural change within the Catholic Church in full accordance and harmony with Church teaching.