Child Abuse Prevention
A Child Abuse Prevention team was formed in each
parish of the Archdiocese in the fall of 2002. Our team is led by Jim Fowkes and Nicole O’ Brien. They
attended archdiocesan training on child abuse prevention. Their mission is to
train parish staff, teachers, volunteers and interested parishioners in the dangers
of any form of child abuse and ways to prevent it. The overall purpose of these
trainings is to teach every Catholic of appropriate interactions between adults
and children. The program especially focuses on how to prevent any kind of
abuse or neglect of children in our protection. The goal is for our parishes to
be able to provide a safe environment for children by educating our parish
staff and parishioners for consultation on matters of child safety.
VIRTUS Training
All volunteers of Gate of Heaven and St Brigid
parishes must complete VIRTUS, a "Child Protection" session, in order
to be involved as a volunteer in our parishes.
This
is a one-time 2&1/2 hour session, which does not need to be repeated. If
you are planning to help out in any capacity at events as a volunteer please contact
the parish office at 617-268-2122.
What is
VIRTUS training?
Maximizing a church's role as a child-safe environment begins with making
adults more aware of the ways children and adults interact with each other.
The PROTECTING GOD'S CHILDREN program educates and trains adults (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.
LINKS
Policies and Procedures for the Protection of Children
RCAB Office of Child Advocacy
USCCB Office of Child & Youth Protection
