Advocate urges Pittsfield leaders to adopt training, screening and model code to prevent abuse in schools

A child-abuse prevention advocate who identified herself as Jetta presented research, training materials and a model code of conduct to a joint meeting of the Pittsfield City Council and School Committee, urging the city to adopt a combination of training, clearer staff policies and stronger pre-employment screening for people who work with children.

Jetta said independent reviews — including a Department of Defense review and a randomized controlled study run with Simmons University — found the course increased staff knowledge of child abuse, improved early identification of boundary-violating behavior and raised willingness and confidence among school personnel to report suspected cases. “Ninety-eight percent of those who completed this course said that they would definitely recommend it to their colleagues,” she said.

The presenter offered a package of resources for schools: an online training priced at about $20 per learner, an in-person training option, a 30-minute classroom video for students (It's Not Just Jenna), a parent-facing 14-page booklet, and a model code of conduct that lists about 25 boundary-violating behaviors schools should prohibit. She also described an in-person five-minute recruitment video used by one special-needs school to discourage applicants with harmful intentions.

Why it matters: Jetta told officials that school-based responses alone are insufficient without clear, institution-wide policies and systematic screening of applicants. She cited national estimates and state-level concern about both adult-on-child abuse and emerging child-on-child problematic sexual behaviors, and she said the state Office of the Child Advocate has prioritized guidance and services to schools.

Details and proposals: The presenter described screening measures being adopted in about a dozen states, including asking job applicants whether they have been investigated for sexual misconduct, whether they surrendered a license in lieu of investigation and whether employers may be contacted to verify past conduct. She said research shows that in 80–90% of confirmed school sexual-abuse cases the person had a “clean” criminal record (CORI), stressing the limits of criminal-background checks alone.

She also briefed the group on pending and proposed state legislation: requiring prevention training for all employees of public and private youth-serving organizations; requiring a Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)-level model “abuse prevention policy” (code of conduct); and legislation that would prevent age of consent from being used as a defense for a sexual relationship between a minor and a person in a position of authority in schools or youth organizations (under the proposal the relevant limit would be under 18, and for some special-needs cases under 21). She cited the federal "Jenna Quinn" law as directing the U.S. Department of Education to support school training.

Officials asked about feasibility, cost and priorities. Several councilors and school committee members recommended starting with staff training while simultaneously reviewing codes of conduct and screening procedures. Jetta said the online course could be rolled out quickly and that her nonprofit would review existing codes and help fill gaps.

Council action: A motion to accept the presentation and place it on file was made, seconded and carried by voice vote; the transcript records the motion and a unanimous voice vote but does not record a roll-call tally.

Context and next steps: Committee members asked the presenter to share materials and legislative bill numbers and to meet with the superintendent and other district staff. The presenter said she had already met with the superintendent and would continue to provide resources and technical assistance.

Ending: Officials did not adopt policy or require immediate changes at the meeting; they accepted the materials and placed the presentation on file, and said they would continue discussions with the superintendent and staff about potential next steps.