The Catholic Archdiocese of New York is handing our coloring books to kids to warn them about sexual predators, (You can interpret this picture on your own).
New York says its the first effort of its kind in the U.S.
In the coloring book, a perky guardian angel tells children not to keep secrets from their parents, not to meet anyone from an Internet chat room and to allow only “certain people” like a doctor or parent to see “where your bathing suit would be,” according to the AP.
Critics say: say the books should say explicitly that trusted adults – including priests – may be the abusers.
The lay reform group Voice of the Faith says: “The book depicts all of the aggressors as sinister men,” Mary Pat Fox, VOTF’s prez. “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.
