Predator Awareness Task Force
Sonoma County collaboration yields positive outcomes for developmentally disabled youth and adults
Studies show that individuals who are affected with a developmental disability are far more likely to become victims of abuse than the general population. Sadly, very few of these incidents are reported to the authorities. Even more alarming is the fact that many perpetrators of abuse are well-known to, and trusted by, the victims.
In 2006, SCOE’s Special Education Department and the North Bay Regional Center (NBRC) joined together to form the Predator Awareness Task Force in an effort to reduce the risk of victimization among students with developmental disabilities. This collaboration was initiated in response to a series of incidents involving mutual clients who became victims of molestation, prostitution, rape, and other forms of abuse.
Today, the Task Force has grown to include representatives from a variety of local stakeholder groups, including United Against Sexual Assault and adult service providers like Alchemia Theatre for Life program and Becoming Independent. The Task Force’s goal is to gather and disseminate appropriate information and provide resources to help reduce the risk of victimization for those with developmental disabilities.
Thus far, several resources have been developed: a guide for parents called Keeping Your Child Safe, a Resource List for Age-of-Majority Clients, and a Curriculum Resource Guide for special education teachers. In addition, SCOE has piloted an educational program for young adults with special needs that includes a presentation on Internet Safety by a Santa Rosa Police Department sexual crimes unit detective. Prevention educators from United Against Sexual Assault also provided a series of presentations on healthy relationships and abuse prevention. Inevitably, each time the presentations are provided to a class, another abused student is identified.
These presentations have received positive feedback from both students and teachers and they will continue to be offered to new classes in the year ahead.
In addition, the Predator Awareness Task Force has worked in collaboration with Alchemia, a theatrically-based nonprofit agency providing services and support to adults with special needs. Alchemia and the Task Force created a theatrical dramatization to address the issue of safety awareness and assertiveness that was presented to children and young adults with special needs at the 6th Street Playhouse, a local theater.
The Task Force is currently working to create a series of safety presentations that will be made available to educators and service providers across the county. The first presentation addresses issues of financial safety and will be available in early Spring, 2010.
The Predator Awareness Task Force is a dynamic example of what a collaborative effort between city and county service providers can accomplish as they join forces to identify, educate, and support some of the most vulnerable citizens in the community.
Contact
- Dana Zapanta, School Psychologist, SCOE
(707) 922-1142,