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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."

 

  
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.  St. 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.

Maximizing our Church's role as a child-safe environment begins with making all adults more aware of the ways children and adults interact with each other and how to protect children.  The PROTECTING GOD'S CHILDREN program for adults is a three to four hour awareness session that teaches adults of the Parish who interact with children that to protect children you must have continuous awareness and vigilance. This awareness session helps trainees understand the signs of child sexual abuse, the methods and means by which offenders commit abuse and five empowerment steps one can use to prevent child sexual abuse.  The program also educates and trains clergy, religious, teachers, staff, volunteers, and parents about the dangers of abuse, the warning signs of abuse, the ways to prevent abuse, the methods of properly reporting suspicions of abuse, and responding to allegations of abuse. 

By utilizing best practices for training and prevention, St. Brigid Parish uses the PROTECTING GOD'S CHILDREN program to help make our parish safe for all people—especially children.   Through this program, we optimize child safe environments and empowering our staff and volunteers  with new tools to help them protect our children.

 

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St. Brigid Best Practices

 

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