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St. Brigid of Kildare Catholic Parish

"Protecting God's Children"
                                         

                                                                

                                
   

     

 
 

In their pastoral letter, Walk in the Light: A Pastoral Response to Child Sexual Abuse, the US Bishops stated,

"People tend to think that certain authority figures – such as parents, stepparents, teachers and clergy – are above reproach: that ‘pillars of the community’ could not abuse children.  Abusive behavior often hides behind the masks of love and trust.  While the true incidence of child sexual abuse remains unknown, it is nonetheless significant.  We state firmly and clearly that any act of child sexual abuse is morally evil.  It is never justified."

 

  
Safe Environment Program and Requirements for Volunteering with Children at Saint Brigid of Kildare

As a community of faith, we believe that our children are the most important gifts God has entrusted to us and that the prevention of child abuse begins with each person. Saint Brigid of Kildare Parish, in coordination with the Catholic Diocese of Columbus, is committed to the protection and safety of all children. This commitment follows the fundamental mission of the Church to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, to give authentic witness to the moral teaching of the Scriptures and the tradition of the Church, and to uphold the human dignity of every person. Increased awareness and a willingness to take action are steps for every person to eradicate abuse in our society, in the community, in the neighborhood, and in the family.
At Saint Brigid of Kildare Church, “Best Practice” policies have been established to ensure the safety of our children in every parish and school activity. Our Safe Environment Program was designed for the protection of our children. With that in mind, ALL VOLUNTEERS 18 years of age and older (Athletics, Nursery, School, Scouts, Religious Education, High School Youth Ministry and all other programs involving children) who have “care, custody or control,” or regular supervised or unsupervised access to children must complete the following procedures prior to the first day of volunteering:
* Complete a Protecting God’s Children awareness session offered throughout the Diocese of Columbus. This program helps raise the awareness of adult volunteers for the signs of child sexual abuse, the methods and means by which offenders commit abuse and steps one can use to prevent child sexual abuse.
* Undergo a Civilian Criminal Background/Fingerprint check (BCI&I) completed by our National WebCheck System and if needed, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Both are offered at Saint Brigid.
* Complete a Volunteer Application Form and Signed Code of Conduct (documents available at www.StBrigidofKildare.org.)
Through these initiatives, we optimize child safe environments and empower our staff and volunteers with tools to help them protect all our children.

How to register for Protecting God’s Children Awareness Session:
Registration can only be completed online at www.virtus.org. Select “Registration” on the green bar, left side of screen. Complete the registration process. Print the email confirmation and bring it to the PGC session.
If attendance occurs at a location other than Saint Brigid, a Certificate of Attendance must be obtained by you at the end of the session and forwarded to Saint Brigid Parish Office to the attention of Stacey Nerone, Safe Environment Program Coordinator, before compliance can be recorded in our parish records.

How to Complete a Fingerprinting Background Check:
Saint Brigid of Kildare requires that all volunteers complete a Civilian Criminal Background Check through the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation by being fingerprinted electronically by our National WebCheck System. This is required regardless of previous fingerprinting by your employer or volunteer work at another parish. Individuals must provide a valid Ohio driver’s license and will be asked to provide their social security number.
Persons living in Ohio less than five years will also need a FBI civilian background check which is offered at Saint Brigid. Volunteers will no longer need to go to their local police station to have fingerprints completed on an ink rolled print card.
Look for upcoming information on open fingerprinting sessions in the Sunday bulletin. To schedule an appointment, please contact Stacey Nerone, Safe Environment Program Coordinator at snerone@midohio.twcbc.com or          761-3734 ext. 260.

Volunteers who have successfully completed the requirements of our Safe Environment Program will be added to the parish Eligible Volunteer List. Confirmation of your completion will be mailed to you and compliance will be reflected in the parish records.
 
 

Protecting God's Children Training 

 

  Volunteer Application

 

        

 

 

                   

                         Diocese of

                                  Columbus

 

      A Plan To Protect

     God's Children™

       Quick Reference Guide

               

                      

                        National Catholic Risk

                        Retention Group, Inc.

 
   

                                                                                           

Step 1: Know the Warning Signs

 

Knowing the warning signs means that
we can recognize the early signs of an
inappropriate relationship with a child. If
we know the warning signs, then we can
identify potential abuse before it happens.
If we know the warning signs, we do not
have to rely on a child to report an incident.

 

·   Discourages other adults from
participating or monitoring.

 

·   Always wants to be alone with children.

 

·   More excited to be with children than
adults.

 

·   Gives gifts to children, often without permission.

 

·   Goes overboard touching.

 

·   Always wants to wrestle or tickle.

 

·   Thinks the rules do not apply to them.

 

·   Allows children to engage in activities
their parents would not allow.

 

·   Uses bad language or tells dirty jokes
to children.

 

·   Shows children pornography

 

Step 2: Control Access

 

Controlling access means that we are careful about whom we allow to work with our children. It also sends a message to potential child molesters that we are alert about child
sexual abuse.

 

·   Communicate the church’s commitment to keeping children safe.

 

·   Use written, standard applications.

 

·   Require finger-printing.

 

·    Require criminal background checks.

 

 

Step 3: Monitor all Programs

 

Child molesters look for ways to spend time alone

 with children. If they know someone is watching,

they have more trouble finding opportunities to

abuse without getting caught.

·   Identify secluded areas, lock empty rooms.

 

·   Develop policies regarding use of secluded areas.

    For example, staff should check
bathrooms before sending children in alone.

 

·   Do not permit children to enter staff-only areas.

 

·   Only meet with children where other adults can

    pass by.

 

·   Supervisors should look in on activities.

 

·   Make sure enough adults are involved
in programs.

     

·   Allow parents to drop in on programs.

 

·   Don’t start new programs without approval
from the pastoral council, the pastor, and/or
the children’s ministry committee.

    

 

Step 4: Be Aware

 

Being aware means that parents should know

what is going on in the lives of their own children

and pay attention to subtle signs of a problem.

Parents should talk to their children, listen to

them, and observe them. When we observe and communicate with our children, we are more

likely to detect the signs if they are in danger. We

can notice a sudden change in behavior, if they

get moody or aggressive, lose interest in school,

or stop taking care of their personal hygiene.

 

·   Talk to your children.

 

·   Listen to your children.

 

·   Observe your children.

 

·   Let your children know they can tell
you anything.

 

·   Teach your children where their private
parts are.

 

·   Talk to your children often about
protecting themselves.  

 

·   Teach your children what to do if someone
tries to touch them.

 

·   Teach your children what to do if someone makes them uncomfortable.

  

Step 5: Communicate Your Concerns

Communicating concerns means
telling someone when you are
uncomfortable with a situation or
if you suspect abuse. It means
paying attention to your own feelings
and not waiting until it is too late.

Only by communicating concerns can we

use our knowledge to protect children. 

Even if abuse is not occurring, it is still

important to let others know when you

have concerns.
 

·   Talk to the person involved, and/ or

 

·   Speak to their supervisor, and/or

 

·   Notify a church official, and/or

 

·   Call the child abuse hotline, and/or

 

·   Call the police.

 

    

VIRTUS® is registered trademark of The National Catholic Risk Retention Group, Inc. (“National Catholic”) in the United States. Protecting God’s Children™ and A Plan to Protect God’s Children™ are trademarks of National Catholic. National Catholic has licensed use of its Protecting God’s Children™ programs to the Diocese of Columbus (“Diocese”).
 
 

                                                                                          For More Information Contact:

COLUMBUS DIOCESAN NUMBERS TO CALL TO REPORT ABUSE:

 

MONSIGNOR. MALONEY -  614-224-2251

BARB CAIN - 614-241-2565

 

To report abuse in Ohio

 

If you suspect a child is in imminent danger from abuse, please call 911 immediately.

 

To report suspected child abuse, contact:

 

County Child Protection Agency or

 County Sheriff’s Department