Protecting Our Children

Bulletin Announcements

May 12, 2008

Did You Know?

Don’t overestimate children’s “street smarts”

Pedestrian injury remains the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 5 to 14. Children are particularly vulnerable to pedestrian death because they are exposed to traffic threats that exceed their cognitive, developmental, behavioral, physical, and sensory abilities. This is exacerbated by the fact that parents often overestimate their children’s pedestrian skills. Children have difficulty judging speed, spatial relations, and distance. Auditory and visual acuity, depth perception, and proper scanning ability develop gradually and do not fully mature until at least age 10. For child pedestrian safety tips, click on “Pedestrian Safety” at www.usa.safekids.org

For particular help, you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

May 5, 2008

Toy safety tips

With millions of toys being recalled in recent months for having lead paint or dangerous magnets, it’s important to remember that the vast majority of toys are safe. But how can you determine whether a toy is age-appropriate for your child, or which toys have been recalled by the manufacturer? For information on toy safety, including a buying guide, toy FAQ and an up-to-date toy recall listing, click on “Toy Safety” at www.usa.safekids.org.

For particular help, you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

April 28, 2008

An Appropriate Way to Report Inappropriate Behavior

How should you communicate your concerns to someone who may be behaving inappropriately with children? The "I" message is a simple way to reframe what you want to say so that the listener hears you speak of your feelings and concerns rather than hearing a complaint against him- or herself. The "I" message, simply diagrammed, says, "I feel [feeling] when [situation] because [reason]." For example, you can say, "I feel anxious when you drive a child home alone after religious education classes, because that could put you or the child in a potentially risky situation." It is a much more constructive approach than saying, "You shouldn’t be driving children home alone because it is against the rules and puts them in danger."

For particular help, you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

April 21, 2008

Know Your Kids’ School

Parents and guardians have the primary responsibility for protecting their children from all potential harm. When choosing a nursery, daycare center or school, parents should inspect the building and grounds to make sure there are no areas where children play or work that are “off limits” to parents. Such facilities should have a policy that welcomes parents to visit the center or school without prior appointment.

For particular help, you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

April 14, 2008

Help reduce abuse statistics

Nationally, more than 2 million reports of abuse or neglect of minors are made each year. Between 25%-50% of all children will experience some form of abuse during childhood. One of every three girls will be sexually abused before the age of 18; and one out of every five to seven boys will be sexually abused by 18. Only a small percentage of child abuse is ever reported. Learn how to spot suspected abuse or neglect, and how to report it to the proper authorities. For more information, please contact your parish Safeguard the Children Committee.

For particular help, you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

April 7, 2008

Did You Know?

Teach kids to protect themselves at home

We consider our homes to be safe places for our children. But being home alone can pose risks for children. Here are a few tips to teach kids that will help keep them safe when you are not with them at home: Never answer the door if alone. Do not invite anyone in the house without the permission of a parent or babysitter. Don’t tell anyone on the phone that your parents are not home. Instead tell them that your parents can’t come to the phone and take a message. For more tips, please visit: www.kidsave.com.

For particular help, you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

March 31, 2008

Recognizing signs of child sexual abuse

Changes in behavior, extreme mood swings, withdrawal, fearlessness, excessive crying, bed-wetting, nightmares, fear of going to bed, sleep disorders and a fear of certain places, people or activities can be signs that a child has been traumatized by sexual abuse. Through its Safeguard the Children program, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles provides abuse prevention training for parents, teachers and others who work with children. This training helps adults to identify and prevent behaviors that may lead to abuse. It also provides parents and others with techniques for talking to children who may be at risk of being abused by others. Contact your parish Safeguard the Children Committee for more information about an abuse prevention training program in your area.

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

March 24, 2008

Learn to “stop” inappropriate activity before it happens

Child safety tip: Teach your child to respect the word “stop!” Teach your preschooler that “stop” means “stop,” and that your child has the right to stop people from touching his or her body. Obviously, exceptions will have to be made for doctors and parents, but even parents must listen when a child doesn’t want to be tickled or hugged anymore. Reinforcing this excellent lesson gives your child the power to recognize -- and to stop -- “bad touching” by others if it should happen.

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

March 17, 2008

How Old Does a Child Need to Be in Order to Stay Alone?

Don’t assume that when your child understands what you’re saying, he’s ready to walk out the door by himself. Besides the fact that many states have laws against leaving children of certain ages alone (for example, younger than 12), experts say children shouldn’t be left by themselves until they’re capable of fighting off an abductor or handling a crisis situation. Experts also say children do not have the mental maturity to cross busy streets by themselves until they’re about 10 or 12 years old (did you know that pedestrian injuries rank third in child fatalities, behind traffic accidents and drowning?). Finally, parents who are certain their young children would never walk away with a stranger will be shocked to learn that studies show they probably will. Stay alert and vigilant, even if you believe your child is aware of possible dangers from others.

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

March 10, 2008

Test your knowledge: True or False?

Child sexual abusers are only attracted to children and are not capable of appropriate sexual relationships? False. While there is a small subset of child sexual abusers who are exclusively attracted to children, the majority of the individuals who sexually abuse children are (or have previously been) attracted to adults. Child predators are difficult to identify precisely because they look just like everyone else. In some cases, they are our most trusted friends and even our family members. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles offers a wealth of information on child safety and child safety training programs for adults and young people. For more information, please visit: http://archdiocese.la.

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

March 3, 2008

Test your knowledge of abuse prevention

True or false: It is common for both child and adult victims of sexual assault to wait some time before telling someone about the abuse. True. It is common for victims of sexual assault to wait some time before telling someone. When the person was assaulted as a child, he or she may wait years or decades. The reasons for this are numerous: victims may want to deny the fact that someone they trusted could do this to them; they may want to just put it behind them; they may believe the myth that they caused the assault by their behavior; or they may fear how other people will react to the truth. For more information on learning how you can help ensure the safety of children, please visit: http://archdiocese.la.

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

February 25, 2008

Five Steps to Safer Environments

1. Know the warning signs of an inappropriate relationship with a child. 2. Control access to children by carefully selecting the adults who work with children and youth. 3. Monitor all programs for the safety of children and youth. 4. Be aware of and sensitive to what is going on in the lives of children. 5. Communicate concerns to the appropriate person in authority.

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

February 19, 2008

Prevalence of Abuse in Society

In surveys of adults, one out of five women and one out of 10 men reported that they were sexually molested before they were 18 years old. This means that an estimated 40 million adult survivors of child sexual abuse are living in the United States today. An estimated 9.6 percent of all school children will be molested by an educator or an employee of a school between kindergarten and 12th grade. Between 13 and 34 percent of all females will be victims of sexual assault before the age of 18 and 7 to 16 percent of all males will also be victimized before they are 18. To learn more about helping to create safe environments for all of our children, please contact the Office of Safeguard the Children at 213 637 7227.

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

February 11, 2008

Who Are the Abusers

Estimates are that approximately 60 percent of abusers are men, 15 to 20 percent are women, and 20 to 40 percent are men and women acting together. So, while men are indeed the majority of sexual abusers, it is dangerous to underestimate the risk that female sexual abusers also pose to children. Among educators, 57.2 percent of abusers are male and 42.4 percent of abusers are female. To learn more about creating safe environments in the school and home, please contact please contact the Office of Safeguard the Children at 213 637 7227.

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

February 4, 2008

Take the child safety quiz

Parents, guardians, and adults who care for children face constant challenges when trying to help keep children safer in today's fast-paced world. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) offers easy-to-use safety resources to help address these challenges. NCMEC’s website offers a range of practical information for parents and guardians that will help keep children safe from harm. The site also features an interactive quiz on child safety designed for both adults and children. To take the quiz, visit the NCMEC website and click on “Child Safety”: www.missingkids.com.

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

January 28, 2008

Meet the members of the National Review Board

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops established the National Review Board during their meeting in June of 2002. The purpose of the National Review Board is to collaborate with the USCCB in preventing sexual abuse of minors in the United States by persons in the service of the Church. Functions of the NRB include advising the USCCB Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People on matters of child and youth protection specifically on policies and practices. The Board also reviews the work of the Office of Child and Youth Protection and makes specific recommendations to its director. Meet the members of the Review Board by visiting: www.usccb.org/ocyp/nrb.shtml

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

January 22, 2008

Abuse report finds drop in reported victims

The number of people who said they are victims of clergy child sex abuse has dropped 34 percent since 2004, according to a national survey of dioceses and religious orders. The survey was conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University in conjunction with the 2006 Audit on U.S. Church Compliance with Child Protection Policies. The annual report on the survey and audit showed the same drop since 2004 in the number of credible allegations made and a 40 percent drop in the number of reported offenders. The report collected data on credible allegations and costs related to child sex abuse in 2006 and compared them to the figures gathered in 2004 and 2005. Read the report online by visiting www.usccb.org/ocyp. Click on “2006 Annual Report on the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.”

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

January 14, 2008

Seventy percent of accused abusers are deceased

Clergy sex abuse data collected by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) on compliance with the U.S. Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People was released by the U.S. bishops April 11. The CARA survey found that more than 70 percent of the incidents against minors that were reported in 2006 occurred between 1960 and 1984. The report also showed the following: 1. Sixty percent of those accused in 2006 had been named previously in other abuse cases. About 10 percent of the allegations were unsubstantiated. 2. Seventy percent of offenders identified in 2006 were deceased, had already been removed from ministry, or had already left the priesthood or religious order when the allegation was reported. 3. Money spent on child protection efforts by the Catholic Church increased 35 percent from the previous year. Read the report online at: www.usccb.org/ocyp.

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

January 7, 2008

Spotting signs of unresolved childhood trauma

For the past three years, the Diocese of Kalamazoo, Michigan, has offered a Trauma Recovery Program for any adult Catholics who are survivors of childhood abuse and neglect. Depending on the definition used, 10-50 percent of children experience some form of trauma. Untreated childhood trauma affects an adult’s ability to be a healthy and productive member of society. The effects of trauma include injury to the mind and spirit as well as the physical body. Survivors of trauma commonly and consistently display recognizable predictable patterns of unhealthy behavior that can be changed and healed. You can read an article about signs of trauma -- and what can be done to treat it – at The Tidings newspaper website: http://www.the-tidings.com/2007/abuse/abuse41.pdf

To contact the Office of Victims Assistance Ministry, please call Mrs. Suzanne Healy, Director, at 213 637 7650. The hotline number to report sexual abuse is 800 355 2545.

December 31, 2007

Office of Assistance Ministry assists victims

The Office of Victims Assistance Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles was created in April 2002 to deal with allegations of past or current sexual abuse by clergy, religious and any lay person working or volunteering for the archdiocese. The office was charged with creating a safe and compassionate environment for victims to come forward, while ensuring that civil authorities are notified and victims are provided counseling and other assistance in the healing process.

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

December 24, 2007

Blessed Christmas!

December 17, 2007

Child protection efforts extend to coaches

The Catholic Youth Organization/Department of Catholic Schools coaches’ training program implemented in 2005 was created to insure the safety and well being of elementary school children, and coaches, in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Its two-hour training session covering child protection laws and procedures as well as character and safety training is mandatory for archdiocesan paid and volunteer coaches. All of the 4,500 coaches affiliated with 216 Catholic elementary schools are expected to attend the training. In order to attend training, participants must submit verification of Livescan fingerprinting.

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

December 10, 2007

Abuse prevention articles in The Tidings

Since November 2005, our archdiocesan weekly newspaper, The Tidings, has regularly published articles related to child safety and abuse prevention efforts, information and tips. All of these articles are as relevant today as they were upon publication in the newspaper. The Tidings has archived these articles on its website: http://www.the-tidings.com/2007/abuse/abuse1.html.

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

December 3, 2007

Child safety resources for the Spanish-speaking

Nearly 800,000 children are reported missing to law enforcement each year. One in five is Hispanic. But, by working together we can help reduce the incidents of missing and exploited children in Hispanic communities across the United States. The commitment to help our children transcends ethnicity, reflects American spirit, and is nobly exemplified in the Hispanic community. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children offers easy-to-use safety resources in English and Spanish to help parents and guardians protect children. For more information, visit the NCMEC website: www.missingkids.com.

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

November 26, 2007

Take the child safety quiz

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

November 19, 2007

Who Are the Abusers?

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

November 12, 2007

The prevalence of abuse in society

In surveys of adults, one out of five women and one out of ten men reported that they were sexually molested before they were 18 years old. This means that an estimated 40 million adult survivors of child sexual abuse are living in the United States today. An estimated 9.6 percent of all school children will be molested by an educator or an employee of a school between kindergarten and 12th grade. Between 13 and 34 percent of all females will be victims of sexual assault before the age of 18, and 7 to 16 percent of all males will also be victimized before they are 18.

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

November 5, , 2007

Five steps to safer environments

Know the warning signs of an inappropriate relationship with a child.
Control access to children by carefully selecting the adults who work with children and youth.
Monitor all programs for the safety of children and youth.
Be aware of and sensitive to what is going on in the lives of children.
Communicate concerns to the appropriate person in authority.

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

October 29, 2007

VIRTUS training prevents abuse

Did you know that every person working with children and youth in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is mandated to attend VIRTUS training? VIRTUS is designed to prevent child abuse by making adults aware of how sexual abuse is perpetrated by adults as well as by other children. In the last year alone, nearly 22,000 parents, priests, teachers, staff and volunteers in the Archdiocese have undergone training through the VIRTUS program. For more information, please contact your parish office or visit www.virtus.org.

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

October 22, 2007

Join in to help protect our kids

Safeguard the Children Committees have been established in parishes throughout the Los Angeles Archdiocese. A primary goal of these committees is to ensure that all children and youth experience safe environments in all parish activities and events. These committees also inform all parish personnel, committees, ministries and volunteers of the available resources for educating their constituencies on all aspects of child and youth abuse and neglect. For more information, call the parish office or the Archdiocese’s Safeguard the Children Program Office, 213 637 7227.

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

October 15, 2007

Test your knowledge of abuse prevention

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

October 8, 2007

Telling the story of success

Five years since U.S. bishops adopted the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People at their June 2002 meeting in Dallas, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and other dioceses have made significant strides to instill practices that will ensure the safety of children in the church. Two websites provide a useful database of articles that look at a variety of related issues, from strategies in place to prevent and identify child sexual abuse to the growth of transparency in the church. To access these websites, please visit www.the-tidings.com and click on the link to articles on abuse prevention at the top of the page; or visit the U.S. bishops’ Office of Child and Youth Protection website: www.usccb.org/ocyp/5yearsfromdallas.shtml.

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

October 1, 2007

Test your knowledge: True or False?

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

September 24, 2007

Website helps locate sex offenders near you

The Megan’s Law website for California provides access to information on more than 63,000 persons required to register in California as sex offenders. Specific home addresses are displayed on more than 33,500 offenders in the California communities; as to these persons, the site displays the last registered address reported by the offender. An additional 30,500 offenders are included on the site with listing by ZIP Code, city, and county. Information on approximately 22,000 other offenders is not included on this site, but is known to law enforcement personnel. Not all sex offenders have been caught and convicted. Most sex offenses are committed by family, friends or acquaintances of the victim. http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov. For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

September 17, 2007

How Old Does a Child Need to Be in Order to Stay Alone?

Don’t assume that when your child understands what you’re saying, he’s ready to walk out the door by himself. Besides the fact that many states have laws against leaving children of certain ages alone (for example, younger than 12), experts say children shouldn’t be left by themselves until they’re capable of fighting off an abductor or handling a crisis situation. Experts also say children do not have the mental maturity to cross busy streets by themselves until they’re about 10 or 12 years old (did you know that pedestrian injuries rank third in child fatalities, behind traffic accidents and drowning?). Finally, parents who are certain their young children would never walk away with a stranger will be shocked to learn that studies show they probably will. Stay alert and vigilant, even if you believe your child is aware of possible dangers from others.

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at (213) 637-7650.

September 10, 2007

Learn to “stop” inappropriate activity before it happens

For particular help, you may call Assistance Ministryat 213 637 7650.

September 4, 2007

Recognizing signs of child sexual abuse

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

August 27, 2007

Teach kids to protect themselves at home

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

August 20, 2007

Help reduce abuse statistics

For particular help, you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

August 13, 2007

Internet safety for kids

The Internet has become the new schoolyard for child molesters seeking girls or boys to victimize. Internet “chat rooms” provide a teenager an opportunity to engage in a “live” conversation with friends from school or church, or with other teenagers from around the world. A chat room is described as being similar to an old style telephone party line except that the teens are typing. Law enforcement has found that child molesters use chat rooms to gain easy and safe access to teens. Because of the caring and the seductive talent of child molesters, teenagers should be warned that when they are in a chat room, they should never provide anyone with private information, personal information, and especially their specific physical location.

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

August 6, 2007

Report inappropriate or illegal content on the Internet

One of the main reasons that children do not report the inappropriate content they find online is fear of punishment from parents. If you let them know that it is not their fault if they come across an inappropriate site, they will be more willing to come to you when it happens. If your children ever show you a site that contains illegal behavior, such as pornographic images of children, contact your Internet Service Provider and the CyberTipline at www.cybertipline.com.

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

July 30, 2007

An appropriate way to report inappropriate behavior

How should you communicate your concerns to someone who may be behaving inappropriately with children? The “I” message is a simple way to reframe what you want to say so that the listener hears you speak of your feelings and concerns rather than hearing a complaint against themselves. The “I” message, simply diagrammed is: “I feel (feeling) when (situation) because (reason).” For example, you can say: “I feel anxious when you drive a child home alone after religious education classes because that could put you or the child in a potentially risky situation.” It is a much more constructive approach than saying: “You shouldn’t be driving children home alone because it is against the rules and puts them in danger.”

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

July 23, 2007

Road to priesthood involves a rigorous formation process

Seminary formation involves much more than academic study. Prior to ordination, a candidate for priesthood goes through a lengthy evaluation period, including an internship during which he lives in a rectory and works with priests, staff and parishioners. During this time, the candidate is judged as to his suitability to be a priest. No one is ordained unless the staff of St. John’s Seminary, including the lay faculty and formation advisers, concludes that the candidate has attained an emotional, psychological and sexual maturity appropriate for his age and for the celibate life of a priest. For more information, please visit http://archdiocese.la/vocations.

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

July 16, 2007

Internet safety for kids

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

July 09, 2007

Educational materials on the danger of abuse

The overwhelming majority of our clergy and lay leaders are hardworking individuals who are dedicated to serving the People of God in our parishes and schools. All of us together are responsible for making sure that all of our ministries are as safe as possible for our children and young people. That means each of us has a responsibility to educate ourselves about the real danger of sexual abuse. The Los Angeles Archdiocese has produced two excellent pamphlets, “Respecting the Boundaries: Keeping Ministerial Relationships Healthy and Holy,” and “Working Together to Prevent Sexual Abuse.” Both pamphlets are available online at: www.archdiocese.la.

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

July 02, 2007

Where do your kids spend their time?

You can help keep your children safe by knowing where they spend their time. Get to know the adults who show up at the various locations in the community where children gather and where they play together. Be wary of any adult who seems more interested in creating a relationship with a child than with other adults. Pay attention when an adult seems to single out a particular child for a relationship or for special attention. Warning signs include treats, gifts, vacations, or other special favors offered only to one specific child.

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

June 25 , 2007

Get involved in parish safety programs

Parents and guardians play a key role in the success of parish programs for young people. Parents and guardians who are involved in parish programs and events will be in the best position to protect their own children as well as all the children in the parish community. Involvement and communication are important factors in helping to ensure safe environments for all of our children. Contact the parish office for more information on how you can become actively involved in the Safeguard the Children programs in our parish.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

June 18 , 2007

Five tips for safeguarding children

The Archdiocese mandates that all people who work with children and youth in our parishes and schools must undergo child abuse prevention training through the VIRTUS program. The training details five steps to prevent child sexual abuse: 1. Know the warning signs of an inappropriate relationship with a child. 2. Control access to children by carefully selecting the adults who work with children and youth. 3. Monitor all programs for the safety of children and youth. 4. Be aware of and sensitive to what is going on in the lives of children. 5. Communicate concerns to the appropriate person in authority.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

June 11 , 2007

Listen to Your Children

This summer, when your children are out of school, on different schedules, are meeting new people and going to new places, make sure that you talk to them often about their experiences and the people they’ve met. Listen carefully to your children. If possible, observe and get to know the other children and adults who are part of your children’s summertime fun. Above all, communicate your safety concerns to your children. Make sure they know that they can come to you with any concerns they may have about the people they interact with. And, if you hear of or observe behaviors that may be inappropriate, make sure to communicate your feelings to people who are in a position to intervene. Communication is key to creating and maintaining a safe environment all year round.

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

June 4 , 2007

Summertime, Safe Time

All teachers, staff and volunteers in the Archdiocese who work with children must undergo fingerprinting and criminal background checks. Archdiocesan guidelines and abuse prevention training programs currently in use in the Archdiocese emphasize the importance of parents knowing who has access to their children at school and other church-sponsored activities. Summertime is here, and parents should remain vigilant regarding who is granted access to their children. Make sure camp counselors have undergone criminal background checks. And, make sure you know the camp’s “daily routine.” In particular, make sure that no camp activity results in a child being left alone with one adult. All activities should be supervised by more than one adult, and the camp should be open to unannounced drop-in visits from parents.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

May 28 , 2007

Tips for Summer Camp Safety

Summer is almost here. School is almost out, and a whole host of new opportunities for recreation and relaxation await. Maybe you are sending your children to a music or sports camp? Or maybe they have been invited by their friends to go camping in the mountains or at the beach? Whatever the situation, it is important to remember that parents still have the responsibility of controlling access that new people will have to their children. If your children are attending a summer camp, insist that counselors or anyone else who might have access to your children have undergone an application process that includes a criminal background check and reference checks.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

May 21 , 2007

Preventing child abuse is everyone’s responsibility

It is every adult’s moral responsibility to protect possible victims by reporting the suspected abuse or neglect to the responsible authorities. Sexual abuse of minors is a pervasive, societal problem, and only concerted and sustained efforts by all adults in every segment of society can help to protect children and youth. The Prevent Child Abuse California organization’s website contains helpful information about how to report abusive behavior and provides contact information of local authorities in your area: www.pca-ca.org.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

May 14 , 2007

Numbers you should know

Law enforcement agencies investigate and prosecute those who abuse children. To report criminal sexual abuse of a minor, you may phone the following:

Los Angeles County: Sexually Exploited Child Unit, Los Angeles Police Department: 213 847 5358 or 213 485 2883;

Los Angeles County Sheriff Department: 323 526 5000;

District Attorney, Sexual Crimes and Child Abuse Unit: 213 974 9790.

Santa Barbara Co.: Santa Barbara County District Attorney: 805 568 2398;

Ventura County: Ventura County District Attorney: 805 658 4190.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

May 7 , 2007

What happens when abuse is reported?

Most people who hold positions of trust in Catholic institutions are mandated by California state law to report child abuse. Teachers, teacher’s aides and counselors in our schools, therapists and social workers in our counseling agencies, nurses and doctors in hospitals, and clergy in parishes or other ministries all have the obligation to report the reasonable suspicion of child abuse to the local police or to child protective services. When any of these people know of or have reasonable suspicion of abuse, they report it to the appropriate police or protective agency. This is true for those ministering in facilities owned and operated by the Archdiocese, as well as Catholic institutions owned and operated privately by religious communities.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

April 30 , 2007

CyberTipline fights Internet crimes against children

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other government agencies all work together to fight Internet crimes against children. They’ve established a “CyberTipline,” a reporting mechanism for cases of child sexual exploitation including child pornography, online enticement of children for sex acts, molestation of children outside the family, sex tourism of children, child victims of prostitution, and unsolicited obscene material sent to a child. Reports may be made 24-hours per day, seven days per week online at www.cybertipline.com or by calling 800 843 5678.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

April 23 , 2007

IOW, knowing internet lingo can help parents safeguard kids

Online chat rooms, Instant Messaging systems, and even cell phones equipped to send text messages are environments rich in abbreviations, acronyms, and other "shorthand" that help increase the speed of communication. We have created a searchable list to help parents become aware of some of the common "lingo" that is used in these environments. You may find some of these terms to be vulgar, degrading, or otherwise offensive. However, we believe it is our responsibility to provide parents and educators with this level of understanding of the dangers that face our children. For a helpful list of Internet lingo, please visit: www.virtus.org/virtus/net_acronyms.cfm

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

April 16 , 2007

Ensuring your child’s school is safe

Every teacher, religious, coach and volunteer who works with children in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ parishes and schools must be fingerprinted and background checked before he or she is permitted to work in any school- or parish-related job or activity that brings them into contact with children. But what about the children who attend non-Catholic private, or public schools? Talk with school administrators and find out what steps they take to protect children from harm. Suggest that they review other abuse prevention programs to ensure that their policies and practices are up-to-date. And, demand that all employees and volunteers who work in the school have been properly screened and background checked before they are allowed to be near your children.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

April 9 , 2007

Where do your kids go to have fun?

Protecting children from harm extends beyond the time that they are under your direct supervision. Know where your children spend their time when school is out or they are not in the house. Where do they gather and play with other kids? Are there other adults in the area? If so, who are they and what reason do they have in being there? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you to keep your kids safe even when you are not with them. For more tips on child safety, please visit: www.virtus.org.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

April 2 , 2007

Internet spammers target kids, too

Does your child know what to do when he or she gets an e-mail from an unknown person? If you are allowing your children to communicate with others online, be aware that they will be exposed to spam. The easiest way to avoid spam is to make sure that your children do not give out their personal information or e-mail address to anyone they do not know. Adjust the security settings on their e-mail account to filter or block unwanted messages. Encourage your children to delete any messages they get from anyone they don’t know. Even when your children get e-mail or Instant Messages from people they know, make sure that they scan everything they are downloading onto the computer for viruses first. You can do this by making sure that you have your antivirus software up to date.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

March 26 , 2007

Did You Know?

Picture this: A good photo could save a child’s life. One of the most important tools for law enforcement to use in the case of a missing child is an up-to-date (take a new one every six months), good-quality photograph. The photograph should be a recent, head-and-shoulders color photograph of the child in which the face is clearly seen. It should be of “school-portrait” quality, and the background should be plain or solid so it does not distract from the subject. When possible the photograph should be in a digitized form, and available on a compact disk (CD), as opposed to just a hard copy. This minimizes the time necessary to scan, resize, and make color corrects before disseminating it to law enforcement. The photograph should have space for accurate, narrative description useful to identify the child such as name, nickname, height, weight, sex, age, eye color, identifying marks, glasses, and braces.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

March 19 , 2007

How to report inappropriate or illegal content on the Internet

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

March 12 , 2007

Internet filter software is no substitute for parental monitoring

There is a lot of material on the Internet that is inappropriate for children. Parents can use filtering software to protect children from that material, but filters do not guarantee that children will not be exposed; a filter will never be a substitute for parents’ presence. Monitor your child’s online behavior. Keep your family computer in a highly visible, common area, like the family room or the kitchen. Ask your children to show you what sites they go to, and be open and willing to discuss the inappropriate material they might come across.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

March 5 , 2007

Keeping your child’s personal information personal

If your children give out personal information over the Internet, not only is it easy to track, it’s tough to completely remove. Emphasize to them how important it is that they keep personal information private. Make sure that they have a strong username and password that doesn’t reveal anything personal. Encourage them not to give out their e-mail address, if they have one. If your children tell you that they have given out personal information online, contact your Internet Service Provider or the site where the information is posted to see what you can do to have it removed. For more information, visit: www.NetSmartz.org.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

February 26 , 2007

What do molesters look like?

Child molesters belong to every profession, gender, ethnic group, and they live in rural, urban and suburban areas. There is no “look” about them that indicates that they are a danger to the physical and emotional health of our children. It is imperative that we look beyond demographic characteristics and focus on the behaviors of adults when they are around children. We must regularly refresh the basic knowledge and actions required to keep children safe. For tips on recognizing and reporting inappropriate behavior, please visit: www.virtus.org.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

February 20 , 2007

Did You Know?

The cases of sexual abuse of minors by some clergy have affected Cardinal Roger Mahony and the many wonderful priests of our Archdiocese personally and deeply. Over the past several years, Cardinal Mahony has met with many victims and survivors of sexual abuse, and has listened to their stories of betrayal and grief. The many levels of harm which touched their lives continue to cause him great sadness. Cardinal Mahony has called upon all of the faithful to pray for the victims of abuse and their families, that they might experience healing, and that they may find support and acceptance in their parishes and communities. For more on efforts to promote healing within the church, please visit the Archdiocesan website: http://www.archdiocese.la.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

February 12 , 2007

Did You Know?

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Safeguard the Children Program is designed to protect people beyond children. Although the focus is certainly on the great gift of precious childhood, the Church includes all of God’s children — children, adults, and, in a very special way, vulnerable adults. A vulnerable person is one who is exposed to physical or emotional abuse. And there are, of course, many ways people become vulnerable. It can be through mental, emotional, or physical challenges from birth, an accident, or through the process of illness or advanced age. If you have concerns that someone may be suffering from abuse, please contact Sister Sheila McNiff in the Archdiocese’s Office of Assistance Ministry, 800 355 2545.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

February 5 , 2007

Did You Know?

Did you know that outreach to victims of sexual abuse is one of the ministries in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles? The Office of Assistance Ministry provides assistance towards healing by means of therapy, spiritual direction and mutual support groups. Sister Sheila McNiff, who has over 20 years’ experience in outreach, clergy misconduct assessment and counseling, coordinates Assistance Ministry in the Archdiocese. If now, or at any time in the past, a priest, deacon or other person representing the Church has sexually abused you, you are urged to contact Sister Sheila by calling the Office of Assistance Ministry, 800 355 2545.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

January 29, 2007

Did You Know?

It is vitally important that we are constantly vigilant — that we always observe the behaviors of those who interact with children. And, we must always communicate our concerns to the appropriate parties. Sometimes, this means communicating our safety concerns to our children. And, sometimes, this means communicating our concerns about seemingly inappropriate behavior to those who are in a position to intervene. They must also listen carefully to their children, and observe both their children’s activities and the behavior of older children and adults who interact with children. When children exhibit dramatic behavioral changes, adults must find out what caused the changes. Being aware of what’s happening with our children means talking to, listening to, and observing them — at every opportunity.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

January 22, 2007

Did You Know?

To know that we are children of God is to live in complete love, with deep abiding security, and the ability to dream, to sing, to create, to laugh, and to play without worry. It is a freedom to love, with full trust and confidence, the creatures whom God has sent to us in our world. As we grow older, we face a new reality—we cannot approach all God’s creation with the same trust and confidence. We learn, through sometimes hurtful and damaging experiences, that some people reject the ability that God gave them to love and respect others—they ignore God’s call to love and respect others. The Archdiocese’s Safeguard the Children program helps reminds us of these very facts. With the help of this program, the faithful are guided and educated about the responsibility of how to keep God’s children protected and safe. To learn more about the program, please call the parish office or 213 637 7227.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

January 16, 2007

Did You Know?

As noted last week, most child abuse occurs only after the perpetrator has gained the trust of the child and his or her parents and guardians through a process called “grooming.” Two of the three elements of grooming behavior – physical and psychological – were described, but there is a third element, known as community grooming. While the physical and psychological grooming are progressing with the child, the perpetrator is grooming the parents, guardians and the rest of the community. The purpose is to convince us that this is someone who really cares about kids and is committed to their well-being so that we will not notice the warning signs or will disregard them because we can’t believe the perpetrator would commit such a crime. The process can take as little as a few days or as long as a few months, but the perpetrator is willing to be patient in an effort to gain the trust of everyone involved. This is how child molesters avoid being caught. For more information on child protection efforts and programs, call the Archdiocese’s Safeguard the Children Program Office, 213 637 7227.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

January 8, 2007

Did You Know?

Most child abuse occurs after the perpetrator has gained the trust of the child and his or her parents and guardians through a process called “grooming.” The grooming process has three basic elements, which are both separate and interrelated: Physical grooming, psychological grooming and community grooming. Physical grooming can begin with a simple pat on the back, but over time becomes more intimate. Psychological grooming takes many forms, all of which are designed to drive a wedge between the child and the parent or guardian and to pull the child under the control of the perpetrator. Psychological techniques include a wide variety of activities from telling a child that sexual contact is “an act of love sanctioned by God” to threatening harm to someone the child loves if he or she tells anyone about the abuse. Community grooming will be described next week.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

January 2, 2007

Did You Know?

According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the latest national survey confirms there are now more than 374,270 registered sex offenders nationwide in the United States. California has the largest number of registered sex offenders of any state, due to its lifetime sex offender registration requirement and a population exceeding an estimated 35 million residents. Since 1996, individuals have had access at police stations to the names and addresses of registered sex offenders in California. On January 1, 2005, this information became available to anyone through a government website. The website contains an excellent summary of Megan’s Law and its implications. To access the website, go to: http://MegansLaw.ca.gov.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

December 18, 2006

Did You Know?

“The Archdiocese has committed significant resources to help those who were harmed [by clergy sexual abuse] to recover from their horrible experiences. We hope our efforts will help, but we realize that only the grace of God can provide the complete healing the victims need. In the midst of this sorrowful story, lessons have been learned and taken deeply to heart. Ineffective policies of the past have been rejected. Understandings that did not measure up to human realities have changed. New insights and policies can now offer protection to all our people.” –From Report to the People of God: Clergy Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, 1930-2003. To view the full Report online, go to: www.archdiocese.la.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

December 11, 2006

Did You Know?

When any adult in the faith community has reason to suspect that a child is being or has been abused, he or she has a moral (and often a legal) responsibility to report those suspicions to civil authorities. Reporting suspected abuse takes courage. However, adults who take a stand for children and make the call are often responsible for saving a child from terrible torment. Read more about how to identify and to report suspected abuse by reading two pamphlets produced by the Archdiocese, “Respecting the Boundaries: Keeping Ministerial Relationships Healthy and Holy,” and “Working Together to Prevent Sexual Abuse.” Both pamphlets are available online at: www.archdiocese.la.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

December 4, 2006

Did You Know?

Child sexual abuse is a great deal more prevalent than many imagine. In fact, studies tell us that one in 10 adult men and one in five adult women say that they were molested before the age of 18. That means that, directly or indirectly, child sexual abuse will touch most of us during our lifetime. And, although we would like to believe that most accusations are false, the facts tell us that children rarely lie about being molested. In fact, they rarely tell anyone at all. An adult study about the prevalence of sexual abuse found that 42 percent of the men and 33 percent of the women who were victimized had never told anyone. To learn more about how to identify and prevent potentially abusive behavior, please call the Los Angeles Archdiocese’s Safeguard the Children Program Office, 213 637 7227.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

November 27, 2006

Did You Know?

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

November 20, 2006

Did You Know?

Child safety tip: You can help keep your children safe by knowing where they spend their time. Get to know the adults who show up at the various locations in the community where children gather and where they play together. Be wary of any adult who seems more interested in creating a relationship with a child than with other adults. Pay attention when an adult seems to single out a particular child for a relationship or for special attention. Warning signs include treats, gifts, vacations, or other special favors offered only to one specific child

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

November 13, 2006

Did You Know?

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

November 6, 2006

Safety Rules Bear Repeating

Research reminds us that teaching children how to resist the overtures of a potential molester requires repetition and reinforcement. Children and young people need to know the rules and they need to hear them over and over and over again so that the rules become part of a thought process. This is done the same way we teach the rules about looking both ways before crossing the street and the danger of getting too close to an open flame. Empowering children to speak up and resist the overtures of potential molesters can stop a child molester in his or her tracks. Molesters who fear being caught — and being labeled a molester — may decide it is not worth the risk and back off.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

October 30, 2006

Prevalence of Abuse in Society

An estimated 9.6 percent of all school children will be molested by an educator or an employee of a school between kindergarten and 12th grade. Between 13 and 34 percent of all females will be victims of sexual assault before the age of 18 and 7 to 16 percent of all males will also be victimized before they are 18. To learn more about helping to create safe environments for all of our children, please contact Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

October 23, 2006

Who Are the Abusers

Estimates are that approximately 60 percent of abusers are men, 15 to 20 percent are women, and 20 to 40 percent are men and women acting together. So, while men are indeed the majority of sexual abusers, it is dangerous to underestimate the risk that female sexual abusers also pose to children. Among educators, 57.2 percent of abusers are male and 42.4 percent of abusers are female. To learn more about creating safe environments in the school and home, please contact Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

October 16, 2006

Children Do Not Lie About Abuse

Most children are not lying when they say that they were abused. Less than 5 percent of all allegations are intentionally false. It is more likely that children will refuse to tell about abuse than to lie about abuse. Several studies estimate that only about 6 percent of all children report sexual abuse by an adult to someone who can do something about it. The other 94 percent do not tell anyone or talk only to a friend. (And they swear their friend to secrecy). To find out more about how to create an environment where children are confident in disclosing information that may indicate that they were abused, please contact Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

October 9, 2006

Safety Rules Bear Repeating

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

October 2, 2006

What Is ‘Relational Bullying’

Relational bullying is unwarranted, persistent, unwelcome behavior in the form of criticism, isolation, or fabricated allegations that can damage relationships. Examples include social exclusion, (“You can’t be with us”), spreading rumors (“Did you hear…?), and withholding friendship (“I won’t be your friend if you…”). Though relational bullying can often seem ambiguous to outside observers and often garners less attention than physical bullying or verbal bullying, it should not be discounted simply as normal, adolescent behavior. In fact, several recent studies suggest relational bullying is more strongly related to emotional distress and teen depression than any other form of bullying. Make sure your child’s school does not tolerate such behavior among its students.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

September 25, 2006

Know the Warning Signs of Abuse

Child molesters look like everyone else. They don’t look like scary people that anyone should know to avoid. Rather, they live with their families in our neighborhoods. One of the most important ways to assure the safety of children in our environments is to know the warning signs of adults who present a risk of harm to children. Among these signs are: 1. Always wants to be alone with children in areas where no one can monitor the interaction. 2. Allows children to do things their parents would not permit. 3. Is always more excited to be with children than with adults. 4. Discourages others from participating in activities involving kids. For more information on how to protect children, please call the Archdiocese’s Safeguard the Children Program Office, 213 637 7227.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

September 18, 2006

Reporting Suspected Abuse Takes Courage

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

September 11, 2006

Archdiocese Mandates Abuse Prevention Training

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

September 5, 2006

Where Do Kids Go After School?

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

August 28, 2006

Know Your Kids’ School

When choosing a nursery, daycare center or school, parents should inspect the building and grounds to make sure there are no areas where children play or work that are “off limits” to parents. Such facilities should have a policy that welcomes parents to visit the center or school without prior appointment.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

August 21, 2006

Assistance Ministry Helps Abuse Victims

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

August 14, 2006

Resources to Help Keep Kids Safe

In addition to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ website, www.la-archdiocese.org, and www.virtus.org, the website of a child safety training program utilized throughout the archdiocese, the website of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children offers dozens of well-produced informational brochures covering a broad range of child safety topics. Go to www.ncmec.org and click on “Resources for Parents & Guardians” to find these brochures, and other helpful information about child safety.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650

August 7, 2006

Can You Pass the ‘Blog Beware’ Quiz?

Internet “blogs” and other social networking sites have recently exploded in popularity and in the news. The number of MySpace.com users is currently estimated at more than 67 million. The majority of activity on these and other youth-oriented websites is positive. However, we’ve all read stories of how those who would harm children use these sites to lure children and teens into inappropriate discussions. To combat this danger, www.NetSmartz.org offers a wide range of Internet safety resources for parents and children. Start by taking the “Blog Beware” Quiz. For kids, there’s a related site: www.NetSmartzKids.org.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650

July 31, 2006

Sex Abuse Prevention Tips for Single Parents

Raising children as a single parent or guardian often presents a whole host of challenges. Many single parents heroically work to balance work, school and other commitments. With so much to do, how can a single parent integrate child safety practices into his or her daily routine? In supervising their children, single parents often seek assistance from a close confidant, a trusted friend or an extended family member can be helpful. Know these people well, and tell your children that “no secrets” may be kept at any time from anyone. For guidelines and suggestions on sexual abuse prevention for single parents, please visit: www.virtus.org.

For particular help you may call Sr. Sheila McNiff, Director of Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650

July 24, 2006

Always Keep an Up-To-Date Photo of Your Child

One of the most important tools for law enforcement to use in the case of a missing child is an up-to-date, good-quality photograph. The photograph should be a recent, head-and-shoulders color photograph of the child in which the face is clearly seen. It should be of “school-portrait” quality, and the background should be plain or solid so it does not distract from the subject. When possible the photograph should be in a digitized form, and available on a compact disk (CD), as opposed to just a hard copy. This minimizes the time necessary to scan, resize, and make color corrects before disseminating it to law enforcement. The photograph should be updated at least every six months for children 6 years of age or younger and then once a year, or when a child's appearance changes.

July 17, 2006

How Big of a Problem Is Child Sexual Exploitation?

The sexual victimization of children is overwhelming in magnitude yet largely unrecognized and underreported. Statistics show that 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 10 boys are sexually exploited before they reach adulthood, yet less than 35 percent of those child sexual assaults are reported to authorities. Creating safe environments for our children is as important as ever. Parents and all who work with children need to become better informed about the warning signs of sexual abuse, so that they can prevent it before it occurs. For more information on child safety policies and programs in our parish, please call the parish office.

July 10, 2006

Do Those Missing Children Postcards Really Work?

Absolutely. One in six of the missing kids featured on these cards are recovered as a direct result of the photograph. The cards reach up to 79 million homes weekly with the photographs of missing children. So, the next time you reach into your mailbox and find one of these cards, take a good look at the child’s picture. You never know when you might be the one who makes the difference in helping to find a missing child.

July 3, 2006

How Many Children Are Sexually Approached and/or Solicited Online?

According to Highlights of the Youth Internet Safety Survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice “one in five children (10 to 17 years old) receive unwanted sexual solicitations online.” In 1998, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), in cooperation with the FBI and other government agencies, established the CyberTipline as a means whereby people may report incidents of online child sexual exploitation. For more information, please visit www.cybertipline.com or call toll-free: 800 843 5678.

June 26, 2006

How Many Registered Sex Offenders in California?

According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the latest national survey confirms there are now more than 374,270 registered sex offenders nationwide in the United States. California has the largest number of registered sex offenders (more than 104,000) of any state, due to its lifetime sex offender registration requirement and a population exceeding an estimated 35 million residents. The U.S. Justice Department maintains a searchable list of registered sex offenders on its website: http://www.nsopr.gov

June 19, 2006

@TEOTD Are Your Kids AATK?

Do you understand the sentence above? Chances are your kids do. The Internet is a great resource of information and fun, but like nearly everything else these days, cyberspace brings with it its own set of challenges for parents. Parents should monitor their children’s web use, and become familiar with the multitude of abbreviations, acronyms and other “shorthand” that their children may be receiving via Internet chat rooms, Instant Messaging systems and text message devices. For a searchable database of this Internet “lingo” please visit: www.virtus.org/virtus/net_acronyms.cfm.

June 12, 2006

Listen to Your Children

June 5, 2006

Summertime, Safe Time

May 29, 2006

Tips for Summer Camp Safety

May 22, 2006

Did You Know?

Child molesters look like everyone else. They do not have horns and a tail. Nor do they look like scary people that anyone should know to avoid. Rather, they live with their families in our neighborhoods. One of the most important ways to assure the safety of children in our environments is to know the warning signs of adults who present a risk of harm to children. Among these signs are: 1. Always wants to be alone with children in areas where no one can monitor the interaction. 2. Allows children to do things their parents would not permit. 3. Is always more excited to be with children than with adults. 4. Discourages others from participating in activities involving kids. For more information on how to protect children, please call the Archdiocese’s Safeguard the Children Program Office, (213) 637-7227.

May 15, 2006

Did You Know?

What do protecting children, the Da Vinci Code and immigration reform have in common?

Each is the focus of excellent and informative websites produced and sponsored by the U.S. Catholic bishops. Summer is here and these are three great “surf” sites! The frequently-updatedwebpage of the bishops’ Office of Child and Youth Protection, www.usccb.org/ocyp/,provides contact information for victim assistance coordinators throughout the nation, offers tip and strategies for helping to keep children safe, and serves as a library for church documents pertaining to protecting our children. “Jesus Decoded,”www.jesusdecoded.com, presents accurate historical information to refute claims made in the “Da Vinci Code” about the nature of Jesus; his relationship with Mary Magdalene; the first four ecumenical councils of the early church; the role of women in the church throughout history; the “Last Supper" paintings by Leonardo da Vinci and much more. The Catholic social teachings that underpin the Church’s call for just and humane immigration reform in the U.S. can be found at www.justiceforimmigrants.com. The site is loaded with background material that provides a solid theological foundation for supporting legislative reform.

May 8, 2006

Did You Know?

May 1, 2006

Did You Know?

April 24, 2006

Did You Know?

April 17, 2006

Did You Know?

Child Safety tip: Teach children to say, “Stop it,” to instructions that might encourage them to do things they really do not want to do. Reinforce the rule that children should say, “Stop it,” to requests or demands that make them uncomfortable, even if they think they should obey. A discussion of these rules can teach a child that there are some times when it is okay to say, “Stop it,” and other times when it is okay to go along with the instructions.

April 10, 2006

Did You Know?

Child safety tip: You can help keep your children safe by knowing where they spend their time. Get to know the adults who show up at the various locations in the community where children gather and where they play together. Be wary of any adult who seems more interested in creating a relationship with a child than with other adults. Pay attention when an adult seems to single out a particular child for a relationship, or for special attention. Warning signs include treats, gifts, vacations, or other special favors offered only to one specific child.

April 3, 2006

Did You Know?

March 27, 2006

Did You Know?

Did you know that every person working with children and youth in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is mandated to attend VIRTUS training? VIRTUS is designed to prevent child abuse by making adults aware of how sexual abuse is perpetrated by adults as well as other children. More than 25,000 adults have gone through the VIRTUS training program in the Archdiocese. To find out about VIRTUS training sessions near you, please call the parish office or the Archdiocese’s Safeguard the Children Program Office, (213) 637-7227.

March 20, 2006

Did You Know?

March 13, 2006

Did You Know?

A webcam is a video camera that is connected to a user’s computer and is most often positioned on top of the user’s computer monitor. When activated in conjunction with an online service the webcam will permit the user to transmit video images of himself or herself to others in real time. Webcams can be the source of convenience and amusement for viewing friends from other schools or relatives who live out of state. Unfortunately, due to its use by child molesters who search the Internet for unsuspecting children, the webcam is the single most dangerous peripheral device that can be attached to a child’s or young person’s computer. Prior to a connecting a webcam or a microphone to a computer, specific rules should be established to help protect the safety of everyone involved.

March 6, 2006

Did You Know?

Scripture tells us to “Rejoice in Hope,” (Romans 12:12) and it is through this powerful invitation that many come to wholeness and healing. St. Augustine said: “We are an Easter people, and Alleluia is our song.” And St. Thomas Aquinas said: “We should be an Alleluia from head to toe.” Their reminders about the importance of our call to be men and women of celebration about our life as fully redeemed, fully loved, and fully alive human beings is the call to all victims and survivors of sexual abuse to rejoice in the great hope that they will again, one day, be fully a thriver in the community—someone whose gifts are acknowledged, whose abuse is believed, and whose life is valued by others. For more information on preventing sexual abuse and on the outreach programs available to help victims to heal, please contact Sister Sheila McNiff in the Archdiocese’s Office of Assistance Ministry, (800) 355-2545

February 27, 2006

Did You Know?

In June 2000 a study titled Online Victimization was conducted for the United States Department of Justice. In the study a national sampling of children found that: Approximately one in five children had received a sexual solicitation or approach over the Internet in the last year. One in four children on the Internet had an unwanted exposure to naked people or people having sex in the last year. One in thirty-three children received an aggressive sexual solicitation—a solicitor who asked to meet them somewhere called them on the telephone, or sent them mail, money, or gifts. Today even more children in the United States are online; undoubtedly if a national sampling of children was interviewed in 2005, these numbers would be even higher. As pervasive and tempting as the Internet can be, it is essential for parents, teachers, and members of the clergy to be knowledgeable and fluent in both the negative and the positive aspects of the Internet. Parents, teachers and members of the clergy must speak very openly about online child safety issues.

February 20, 2006

Did You Know?

You can help create a safer environment for children by leaving your parish or community environment safer each day than when you started. This could be as simple as training yourself to do a more effective job of keeping your eye on those around you when they interact with children. It sounds overly simple but most of us don’t really do it, and it can be an easy habit to develop. It just takes persistence and a way to measure your success. For example, in order to make yourself “notice” those who are interacting with children, you could try counting the number of children you see each day interacting with non-parental adults. Okay…so this would be a little unrealistic for a schoolteacher…but for the rest of us it could be a very big learning experience. To learn more about parish efforts to create safe environments for our children, please contact the parish office.

February 13, 2006

Did You Know?

You can help create a safer environment for children by identifying the “strengths” in those around you, and providing each of your employees, co-workers, and peers with genuine compliments regarding their respective contribution to your community’s abuse prevention efforts. Everyone appreciates a pat on the back every now and then. Notice those who genuinely inspire you and give them a genuine and well-deserved pat on the back. For more information about your parish’s programs to educate and train adults in child abuse prevention, please call the parish office.

February 6, 2006

Did You Know?

You can help create a safer environment for children by inspiring others to participate in your community’s abuse-prevention efforts. This could be as simple as identifying one person each week who hasn’t participated in your parish’s awareness sessions or other abuse-prevention activities, and offering them information about how they can help. If you focus on the baby steps—in this case, identifying and inviting one (1) person per week to get involved in preventing abuse—during the next 12 months you could realistically recruit more than four dozen people to your community’s abuse prevention efforts. Wow! That could have some real impact. But, remember…baby steps. Otherwise, the long-term goal may become too overwhelming to keep you inspired. For more information about your parish’s Safeguard the Children Committee, call the parish office.

January 30, 2006

Did You Know?

You can help create a safer environment for children by learning something new each week about an abuse-related issue. It doesn’t have to be something major or time-consuming to be a benefit. It could be as simple as keeping your eye open for news items or statistics that broaden your understanding about different types of abuse, characteristics of abusers, warning signs that a child is a victim, and other such information. The sources are all around you…TV, radio, newspapers and magazines, the Internet, co-workers, peer groups…it’s up to you to create a specific action plan that defines how much effort you’ll invest each week, how much you intend to learn, and then to identify specific sources for information. For more information, visit the Archdiocese’s website: http://www.archdiocese.la.

January 23, 2006

Did You Know?

Cell phones with photographic capability are a mixed blessing. Forget your camera? Whip out the cell phone and your toddler’s first step, friend's goofy mishap, or fender-bender is captured for posterity. But cell phones are also being used in a sinister way—to silently take pictures of unsuspecting children, adolescents, and adults in compromising positions and without their consent. Plus, unlike conventional photographs, digital photos can be placed on the Internet very quickly—within minutes of the photo being taken—and distributed around the world. In fact, some websites have been created for the sole purpose of posting photos taken surreptitiously with camera phones. Have a healthy suspicion of anyone using a cell phone in an awkward way, such as not holding it up to his or her ear or facing his or her mouth in a walkie-talkie style. Be especially cognizant of any suspicious cell phone use in areas where people could be in various states of undress or where children are gathered. If you see someone using a cell phone in a way that appears suspicious, don't be afraid to ask what he or she is doing or to alert someone in a position of authority about your concerns.

January 16, 2006

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January 9, 2006

Did You Know?

Is child sexual abuse still a “crisis,” today? Regardless of the answer, we are faced with both good and bad news. Instead of scandalous headlines and emotionally charged confrontations, child sexual abuse has become a very sad reality in our daily lives. Child sexual abuse has been, is, and will continue to be a societal evil that must be battled each and every day for as long as there are children to protect. But, if we are willing to face this daily challenge, to tackle this unfortunate and tragic problem, to treat child safety and security as a ministry, then it truly can be said that we are a part of the solution. For more information on parish Safeguard the Children efforts, please contact the parish office.

January 2, 2006

Did You Know?

Safeguard the Children Committees have been established in parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. A primary goal of these committees is to ensure that all children and youth experience safe environments in all parish activities and events. These committees also inform all parish personnel, committees, ministries and volunteers of the available resources for educating their constituencies on all aspects of child and youth abuse and neglect. For more information, call the parish office or the Archdiocese’s Safeguard the Children Program Office, (213) 637-7227 .

December 26, 2005

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December 19, 2005

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December 12, 2005

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December 5, 2005

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November 28, 2005

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November 21, 2005

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November 14, 2005

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November 7, 2005

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October 31, 2005

Did You Know?

To know that we are children of God is to live in complete love, with deep abiding security, and the ability to dream, to sing, to create, to laugh, and to play without worry. As we grow older, we face a new reality—we cannot approach all God’s creation with the same trust and confidence. We learn, through sometimes hurtful and damaging experiences, that some people reject the ability that God gave them to love and respect others—they ignore God’s call to love and respect others. The Archdiocese’s Safeguard the Children program helps reminds us of these very facts. With the help of this program, the faithful are guided and educated about the responsibility of how to keep God’s children protected and safe. To learn more about the program, please call the parish office or (213) 637-7227.

October 24, 2005

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October 17, 2005

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October 3, 2005

Did You Know?

With school back in session, it is worth remembering that parents and guardians have the primary responsibility for protecting their children from all potential harm. When choosing a nursery, daycare center or school, parents should inspect the building and grounds to make sure there are no areas where children play or work that are “off limits” to parents. Such facilities should have policy that welcomes parents to visit the center or school without prior appointment.

September 26, 2005

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September 19, 2005

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September 12, 2005

Did You Know?

Fall means back to school for children and back to work for those who have been on vacation. Amidst the hustle and bustle of this season, let us all keep sight of the importance of keeping our children and young people safe from danger. Safeguard the Children Committees have been established in parishes throughout the Los Angeles Archdiocese. These committees help ensure that all children and youth experience safe environments in all parish activities and events. For more information, call the parish office or the Archdiocese’s Safeguard the Children Program Office, (213) 637-7227.

September 6, 2005

Did You Know?

To ensure the safety of all of our children, the Archdiocese requires all priests, teachers, and other parish employees, staff and volunteers who work with children to be fingerprinted. Fingerprints are run through a criminal database, and anyone with a prior history of child abuse or endangerment is permanently barred from church ministry. More than 6,500 Catholic school teachers and staff have been fingerprinted and cleared by authorities to work with children. An additional 7,000 parish and school employees and volunteers have been fingerprinted and cleared.

August 29, 2005

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August 22, 2005

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August 15, 2005

Did You Know?

When a young man approaches the Los Angeles Archdiocese with the desire to become a priest, he must first undergo a rigorous and thorough screening process before he can be considered as a candidate for entry into St. John’s Seminary. The process includes in-depth personal interviews, an assessment of the person’s potential suitability for a lifetime commitment to celibacy, and a series of psychological tests and interviews. For more information on the Archdiocese’s priestly formation program, please visit www.archdiocese.la and click on the “Vocations” tab.

August 8, 2005

Did You Know?

The Internet has become the new schoolyard for child molesters seeking girls or boys to victimize. Internet “chat rooms” provide a teenager an opportunity to engage in “live” conversation with friends from school or church, or with other teenagers from around the world. A chat room is described as being similar to an old style telephone party line, except that the teens are typing. Law enforcement has found that child molesters use chat rooms to gain easy and safe access to teens. Because of the caring and the seductive talent of child molesters, teenagers should be warned that when they are in a chat room, they should never provide anyone with private information, personal information, and especially their specific physical location.

August 1, 2005

Did You Know?

Did you know that to facilitate investigations into allegations of sexual abuse of minors by priests, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has provided prosecutors with the names of victims and every accused priest, the time periods of alleged abuse, records of the priest’s assignments and the priest’s current status and location? In 2004, an independent audit measuring the Archdiocese’s compliance with the U.S. Bishops’ “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,” determined that the Archdiocese “complies with all applicable civil laws with respect to the reporting of allegations of sexual abuse of minors to civil authorities,” and that, “the Archdiocese has established effective liaison with civil authorities, ensuring that an open dialogue regarding sexual abuse allegations will occur.”

July 25, 2005

Did You Know?

The Archdiocese’s Clergy Misconduct Oversight Board monitors all Archdiocesan policies and procedures related to sexual abuse by clergy. The Board is comprised of 13 people, 11 of whom are lay persons. Among the Board’s members are a victim of sexual abuse by a priest, and a parent of a child abused by a priest. All cases of clergy sexual misconduct are presented to the Board. The Board receives a report of each allegation lodged against a priests or deacon, reviews all relevant information, and makes a written recommendation to the Archbishop.

July 18, 2005

Did You Know?

Did you know that an independent audit released in February 2005 found the Los Angeles Archdiocese to be in full compliance with the U.S.