Awareness Workshops Become Available For SOCES Parents

By: Anya Vaiman '26

LAUSD’s new program, Every School Safe: Blueprint For Safety has finally reached the campus of SOCES. The program was created to address child grooming and awareness and is directed toward parents. The program offers support, strategies, and tools to assist others during difficult times. The first workshop took place on September 8th at 10 a.m. It was a hybrid ‘Coffee with the Principal,’ meaning it was located both in the library and on Zoom for those who could not attend in person. Additionally, there are plans in the future for mandatory workshops directed towards SOCES students.

According to lausd.org, Every School Safe: Blueprint For Safety “encompasses the concerted efforts of District administrators… to ensure the environmental, physical, psychological, and social-emotional safety…of our students.” However, how is this being implemented at our school?

At the workshop, there were multiple resources that were discussed. One document, titled “Talking to Young Children about Grooming,” educates parents how to hold a meaningful conversation with their children about grooming. The three most important rules a child should follow when facing an uncomfortable situation are: ‘No! Be as assertive as you can’, to ‘Go to a safe place with other people,’ and to ‘Tell an adult you trust.’ Additionally, the document lays out some tips parents can use when having these discussions, such as having the child differentiate ‘good touches’ from ‘bad touches,’ emphasizing which parts of the body are private, and understanding when to ask for help.

Parents might be wondering why this is important now? And if these workshops are worth attending? The answer should not be surprising. Absolutely yes! Sexual grooming is on the rise, especially in our modern world of technology. NSPPC, an online children’s charity, claims that “Online grooming crimes have risen by more than 80% in four years.” The astonishing statistics prove that now, more than ever, it’s exceedingly important to educate both parents and children on how to handle sexual assault.