SCHOOLS and religious organisations across Orange have responded to the recent terror attack in Paris with prayer and discussions to allay the fears of children.
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Holy Trinity Anglican Church reverend Mal Dunnett said he has been advised by child psychologists that taking a direct approach and not burying your head in the sand is the best way to handle the issue with children.
“It’s important to let kids know that there’s a separation between here and that stuff,” Reverend Dunnett said.
“This is not happening to you here in Orange, Australia.
Reverend Dunnett said children have a tendency to see things on TV and think that if it is on TV it is happening to them.
“It’s happening to other people nowhere near us,” he said.
However, he said it is important to recognise that it is real and does happen the our world around us.
Reverend Dunnett brought the issue up in a recent prayer service saying that while there are evil people in the world there are many more good people and in this instance the evil is at arm’s length.
“It is also important to recognise when things are out of your control, this was not because of anything they did and making sure that kids know that they haven’t caused it, the people who were attacked didn’t cause it,” he said.
If children are worried of the threat of a terror attack if they are going to a large event or crowded place he said it is important to remind them that when there is an attack overseas security is increased here.
“I think the thing to remember is when something goes on overseas what happens is our police and our fire brigades become more aware they are looking out for it,” he said.
Catherine McAuley Catholic Primary School principal Michael Croke said the school has prayed for those killed and injured in the terror attacks.
“It’s something we’ve talked about at the school,” Mr Croke said.
“Our concern has been why would people take the lives of other people.
“We just hope and pray that it won’t happen in this country.”