Agents of the National Children’s Trust of Costa Rica (PANI) gave workshops on abuse prevention from the 2nd to the 5th of September to all the beneficiaries of the socio-educational center of the Augustinian Recollects in Costa Rita.
The Boys’ Town is a socio-educational center of the Augustinian Recollects in Cartago (Costa Rica). The Counseling Department coordinated with the National Children’s Trust mobile unit. This government entity watches over the rights of minors and offers preventive workshops on sexual abuse following the recommendations of the Commission for the Prevention of Sexual Abuse.
Students in the tenth, eleventh and twelfth grades could learn more specific aspects of current legislation, advice, and ways of detecting the danger of abuse, harassment, or improper relationships.
In addition, specialized professionals and educators offered them specific data on their rights and the ways to go about reporting and having the proper defense in case of abuse. They learned which institutions offer protection and psychological and legal guidance even if they find themselves at risk and need to take steps to prevent aggression.
In the Legislative Assembly
Precisely the institution that creates these laws for the defense of minors, the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica, received a group of Boys’ Town students on a day trip and tour organized by the Department of Citizen Participation of the Chamber.
Civic education and social leadership are values that the educational system that Boys’ Town takes into account in all its pedagogical actions. They are part of the integral formation that seeks that today’s young people can develop all their capacities, attitudes, and proposals to grow in their social environment.
Representative Antonio Ortega, whose group of voters is in the province of Cartago, accompanied the students and explained the activities carried out by the Chamber, its various physical spaces, the forms of popular participation contemplated by Costa Rican laws, and the essential aspects of the democratic system. He accompanied them to the Hall of Heads of State and the Former Presidents’ Hall.
The students had the opportunity to understand the methods and means of political discussion, to strengthen their critical political thought as citizens, to understand the processes of consensus and social dialogue, and, finally, the need for leadership and participation in decisions that concern everyone.
