Parish Information
Safeguard the Children
Here at Padre Serra Parish we are dedicated and committed to protecting all God's children. We follow the policies and procedures as set forth by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and its Safeguard the Children Office through: (click here for Spring 2013 Training Sessions).
Virtus Protecting God's Children Adult Awareness Training is a three-hour training that helps clergy, staff, volunteers and parents to understand the facts and myths about child sexual abuse; how perpetrators operate; and how caring adults can take five important steps to keep children safe. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles mandates this training for all adults working with children. This education component helps prevent child sexual abuse by first making every adult employee and volunteer aware of the issues surrounding child sexual abuse. The awareness session also helps adults learn to recognize the warning signs of abuse and shows them the appropriate way to respond to suspicious behavior. Finally, the awareness session empowers each person with five steps to help prevent child sexual abuse. More than 50,000 priests, deacons, parish and school staff members and volunteers have already participated in these sessions throughout the five Pastoral Regions of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Our goal is to provide this training to all adults who work with children so we can work together as a more effective community to prevent child sexual abuse. For more information or to find a session, please go online to: www.virtus.org/virtusFingerprinting - mandatory for all adult staff and volunteers who work directly with children. Guidelines for working with children - Each year adult staff and volunteers receive and review the Archdiocesan Guidelines for working with children. Youth working with other youth also have guidelines that they receive and review each year. Click here to read these guidelinesPrograms for Children and Young People - We utilize the Archdiocese's Teaching Touching Safety program to educate our children about what abuse is and give them the tools and empowerment if they are ever in a position of being threatened or victimized. Our Padre Serra Faith Formation team presents it in matter-of-fact, applying good Catholic morals to practical situations kind of way.As mandated by the Archdiocesel, our parish has a Safeguard the Children Committee. For more information about the commitee and its work please contact Lisa or Teresa Runyon2012 Archdiocesan "Working Together" Sexual Abuse Prevention Brochure - click here for brochureClick here to read reporting abuse or misconductClick here for the Archdiocesan Electronic Communications Policy and Resources Click here to read the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops "Charter for the Protection of Children & Young People"For more information, please visit the Archdiocese of Los Angeles website or contact Teresa Runyon in the parish office 482-6417 x 322 or teresarunyon@padreserra.org
