Safeguard the Children
                                                                       "Providing a safe environment for children, youth, and vulnerable adults.”
About Safeguard the Children
Safeguard the Children is a comprehensive program designed to promote a safe environment for children, youth and vulnerable adults and prevent child sexual abuse. The program was initiated in all dioceses in the United States at the direction of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). There is a Safeguard the Children (STC) Committee in each parish which helps to implement the objectives of the USCCB “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People”.  The Los Angeles Archdiocese has produced an informative brochure entitled “Working Together” that provides resources on how to prevent abuse and provides information on reporting child abuse.
Link:  United States Conference of Catholic Bishops “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.”

Reporting Child Abuse
It is important that everyone report suspected child abuse. The truth is that our first inclination is to not get involved, but if you fail to act, that is all it takes for abuse or neglect to continue.  If you ever come across suspected abuse, we urge you to call the Los Angeles County Child Protection Hotline at (800) 540-4000.  The hotline is operated twenty-four hours, seven days a week.  You don’t need to know that child abuse or neglect is taking place. You are welcome to report your suspicions and consult with a social worker if you are not clear whether what you are witnessing or have learned of is abuse.  Depending on your profession, you might even be legally obligated to report suspected child abuse and neglect, a so-called “mandated reporter.”  But if you are not a mandated reporter, you can make your report anonymously.  Please see this article from the Safeguard the Children Committee Chair entitled “What Can I Do To Prevent Child Abuse” that appeared as an insert in the Holy Family School Guild Gazette in May 2012 as part of Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Five ways YOU can help prevent child abuse:
*Come participate in our "Protecting God's Children" VIRTUS class to learn how to recognize and prevent child, teen and elder abuse. Classes are free and you will be the eyes and ears of our community, protecting those who are most vulnerable. Scheduled class dates and times at American Martyrs parish are published in our weekly bulletin or see virtusonline.org to register for a class in our area.
*Please get fingerprinted if you supervise children at American Martyrs parish! We need 100% compliance so when you agree to do so voluntarily it makes our goal much easier to meet. You then become a model for others! Sign up for free archdiocesan LiveScan fingerprinting at one of the LiveScan locations.  To have your fingerprinting done at one of the LiveScan locations, please contact Patti Williams at 310-546-4734 to obtain a LiveScan form to take with with you to your appointment. 
*If you volunteer in any capacity with or around children at American Martyrs parish (or any parish in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles), you are required to review, sign and observe the Archdiocese of Los Angeles "Guidelines for Adults Interacting with Minors at Parish or School Activities or Events." The forms should be returned to the School of Religious Education Office.
*If you observe abuse, or something that may be abuse, report it! Failing to act allows the abuse or neglect to continue.  See paragraph above on how to report abuse or read the following brochure "Working Together".  If you have a "reasonable suspicion" that a child, teen or elder is being abused in any way, you should report it to the police or to the Child Protection Hotline (1-800-540-4000).
*Discuss with your child the "Empowering God's Children"  lessons they learn in American Martyrs School or Religious Education classes. That way you know they will understand how to protect themselves from abuse and exploitation. 
                                                          Thank you for all you do to keep our children safe.


Mandated Reporters:
Priests, deacons, school faculty and administrators and other staff members in our parishes and schools have been designated as mandated reporters under California law. When one of these persons receives information leading to a “reasonable suspicion” that a child is being abused or neglected, he or she must make a report to the appropriate child protection or law enforcement agency. For more information on Responding to an Allegation of Suspected Child Abuse see www.la-archdiocese.org/org/protecting/vam.  If you are being abused, have been abused, or know someone who is being abused, you can call Victims Assistance Ministry at: 800.355.2545 for assistance to make a report. You may also seek help directly by contacting one of the Child Protective Services or one of the Law Enforcement Agencies listed below. In an emergency call 911.

Los Angeles County:
LA County Child Abuse Hotline: 800.540.4000
For callers residing outside the State of California who wish to contact Child Protective Services in Los Angeles: 213.639.4500

Investigative Control Unit for All Child Abuse Reports: 213.486.0530 

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department: Special Victims Bureau (24 hours) 562.946.8531
     To speak to a detective 562.946.7960

District Attorney’s Office:
Sexual Crimes Division 213.974.9790
Family Violence Division 213.974.3785



Safeguard the Children Committee
American Martyrs parish has an active STC Committee chaired by a parishioner. Other members include the Director of Religious Education, the school principal, school athletic director, Weekday Preschool Director, the Director of Youth Ministry, the Director of the Sunday Preschool, and two or more other volunteers to complete the group. Meetings are held quarterly or more often as needed.

Goals:
*To provide education and mandated training for all staff and volunteers to promote a heightened awareness of their role and responsibility regarding the safety of children, youth and vulnerable adults.
*To provide training to all children in the school and Religious Education programs to help them know how to respect their bodies, trust their self-protective instincts and learn when and how to seek adult help.
*To provide an annual parish-wide educational event during Child Abuse Prevention Month in April.
*To perform an annual self-assessment of the compliance of the parish to the regulations of the Safeguard the Children Program of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.


Requirements for Parish Clergy, Staff and Volunteers:
In accord with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, American Martyrs parish leadership and Safeguard the Children Committee have developed Policies and Procedures for all volunteers at American Martyrs.

Links:
VIRTUS Online Training
VIRTUS Registration  To register for a “Protecting God’s Children” adult awareness training session
“Why Am I Here and What Is My Role in Protecting Children?”  A handout for participants describing the background of the "Protecting God’s Children" program and the prescribed role for adults in the faith community.

Mission Statement
Safeguard the Children was established to create a safe environment for children, youth and vulnerable adults in the parish community.
Contact: Patti Williams, Director of Religious Education 310-546-4734








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