Safeguard the Children
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VIRTUS Training Reminder
All clergy, staff and volunteers who previously participated in the VIRTUS "Protecting God's Children" training are required to be recertified every four years. Recertification must take place on/or before the expiration date on your last certificate. If you pass 30 days beyond the expiration date, you must retake the 3 hr. "Protecting God's Children" training.
If you have taken a VIRTUS class, a copy of the certificate needs to be turned in to the Parish Office so that your attendance is recorded. If you know that you are not current in VIRTUS, the Parish Office can provide a list of training sessions held in the San Pedro Region or online.Protecting God's Children Year Recertification Year
2018 2022
2019 2023 -
Working Together to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse Brochure
The Office of Safeguard the Children of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles annually publishes the 2023 Working Together to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse brochure, which provides an up-to-date listing of safe environment policies, programs, resources, contact numbers and other important information about how the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is working to prevent child sexual abuse.
To learn more about the archdiocese's polices, programs, reporting and resources, download a copy of this year's Working Together to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse brochure. You can also learn more by visiting the VIRTUS website.
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Did you know?
What can you do to help?
Every Catholic is called to protect the most vulnerable, including children who are at risk for abuse and exploitation. Find out how your community is working to prevent child abuse and get involved. You can continue to learn best tips and prevention practices through the DID YOU KNOW bulletins each week. You can also enroll in VIRTUS training to receive extensive information on how to identify suspicious behavior and report it. Encourage everyone you know to learn about child sexual abuse prevention. Together, we can change the future for our children. For more information please visit https://lacatholics.org/departments-ministries/safeguard-the-children. To request a copy of the full VIRTUS article visit lacatholics.org/did-you-know.
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Office of Safeguard the Children
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has implemented rigorous policies and procedures to provide a safe environment in its parishes and schools for all children and young people. These include:
- “Zero Tolerance”
- Guidelines for Adults Interacting with Minors at Parish/School activities or events
- Code of Conduct for Middle and High School Students Volunteering with Minors
Throughout the archdiocese, safe environment programs, policies and procedures covering background checks, and safe environment training have been implemented to protect the children and young people we receive in Jesus’ name. All clergy and paid staff, and volunteers who have regular contact with children and minors must be fingerprinted and VIRTUS trained before beginning their assignment. VIRTUS is the brand name that identifies best practices program designed to help prevent wrongdoing and promote “rightdoing” within religious organizations.
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Victims Assistance
The Victims Assistance Ministry Office of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles responds to allegations of past or current sexual abuse by anyone working or volunteering for the Archdiocese. This Office is charged with creating a safe and compassionate environment in which victim-survivors can come forward and receive counseling and other assistance in the healing process.
If you are being or have been abused or know someone who is being or has been abused by a priest, deacon, religious, parish staff or volunteer, please call Victims Assistance Ministry at (800) 355-2545 to report.
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"Let us find the courage needed to take all necessary measures and to protect in every way the lives of our children, so that such crimes may never be repeated."
(Pope Francis Letter on Zero Tolerance -
December 2016).
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Safeguard the Children Committee
All parishes within this archdiocese are required to have a Safeguard the Children Committee. This committee plays a crucial role in assuring that the safeguard initiatives found in the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People are a priority. This important document contains the Essential Norms which are the Church’s response to child sexual abuse and the foundation for a concrete plan to proactively prevent child sexual abuse. Committee members from the parish are invited by pastoral appointment, and often include professionals in law enforcement, mental health, and other helping professions.
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