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Ministering to children and young people is the heart of what Jesus calls His people to do.
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The mission of our Safe Environment Project is to assist the Church in creating a safe haven for children, young people and vulnerable adults. The risk of child abuse is greatly reduced by breaking the silence about abuse, especially sexual abuse.
Breaking the silence is a critical first step to begin the process of education, prevention and healing.
We work with employees and all volunteers of St. Columba, civil authorities, and various organizations in our community to create the safest possible environment for every person at our parish site.
Every three years all the staff and volunteers of the parish must undergo Safe Environment Training, a two-hour presentation that covers what our responsibility is, warning signs of abuse, strategies for prevention and how we make St. Columba a safe and welcoming place for all vulnerable ones, especially our children.
The next cycle year that St. Columba parishioners must participate in a Safe Environment Training workshop will be Fall 2020. The parish will offer an opportunity for attending a workshop. It can also be completed online at www.virtusonline.org/virtus/.
For those who are new to a ministry or a committee, they must complete a Safe Environment Training right away (online), not waiting for the next parish workshop cycle.
Sex Abuse Prevention Tips for Single Parents
Raising children as a singled parent or guardinan often presents a whole host of challenges.
Many single parents heroicallly 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.
Know these people well, and tell you children that no secrets may be kept at any time for anyone.
For guidelines and suggestions on sectual abuse prevention for single parents, please visit www.virtus.org.
Victims Assistance and Reporting
The Victims Assistance Ministry of the Oakland Diocese offers a variety of avenues for victims and family members to report their experiences to our Office of Victim Assistance and to be welcomed, to receive pastoral care, and to learn about and access much-needed services.
Diocesan staff serving in the Office of Victim Assistance believe that individuals and communities are best served through a prompt response to requests for help, respectful listening, attention to their needs, and services to help them in the healing process.
Anyone wishing to report any allegation of sexual misconduct by any Clergy or Diocesan employee should CONTACT THE LOCAL AUTHORITY, i.e. Police or Sheriff Department, and also the Victims Assistance Coordinator of the Diocese.
Contact a survivor at:
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