WICU12

Students from two local elementary schools today were honored for taking part in a program designed to prevent kids from becoming victims of sexual abuse. The students from Pfeiffer-Burleigh and Wattsburg were honored in the courtroom of Erie County Judge Stephanie Domitrovich. The children made posters about what they learned in the Good Secrets-Bad Secrets program. Winners from each class today showed off their art work, met the judge, and received prizes. Organizers say the program helps to keep kids safe from sexual abuse. Amy Blackman of the Crime Victim Center said, "It helps them to understand that if someone tries to touch them in a way that is inappropriate or a way that makes them feel unsafe or uncomfortable, they have a right to say no to that person, then tell someone. Even if that person tells them it is a secret or it's something they should not tell which is often what we see at the agency when we have kids come in." Judge Domitrovich said, "I think this program is very important to students to understand how to prevent themselves from being  victims. We have a lot of crime in Erie County that is preventable. And this is the best tool. Education is the best way to deal with the issue." Last year the Crime Victim Center helped more than 5200 people, 875 of the victims were children.