These websites provide excellent information to help us create Safe Environments at our schools, parishes, and homes:
USCCB Resources
The USCCB Secretariat for Child and Youth Protection is the office of the USSCB tasked with ensuring the implementation of the Charter and assisting dioceses with their mission to provide a safe environment for youth. Their website is home to many valuable resources.
USCCB Child & Youth Protection Reports & Research
This site provides you with a list of the most recent reports and studies that have been commissioned or written by the National Review Board, the Bishops’ Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People, or the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection.
Novena for the Protection and Healing from Abuse
Every April, Catholic parishes and schools across the United States participate in National Child Abuse Prevention Month. While dioceses work year-round to prevent abuse, during this month a special emphasis is placed on the importance of learning how to protect the vulnerable from this evil. Together, for the next nine days, let’s pray that the vulnerable are protected from abuse, and that survivors of abuse may be accompanied on their paths to healing.
Technology Safety Through the Eyes of Faith
Technology Safety Through the Eyes of Faith is a resource guide brought to you by a collaboration between the USCCB and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
The Church cares about you, cares about your children, cares about your family, and cares about digital safety. Faith and Safety is a starting point for parents of faith who may not know where to turn, what to do, or just need some quick information and practical guidance.
Create in Me a Clean Heart: A Pastoral Response to Pornography
At their November 2015 General Assembly, the U.S. bishops approved the formal statement “Create in Me a Clean Heart: A Pastoral Response to Pornography” with an almost unanimous vote.
Healing Opportunities
The Archdiocese of Atlanta provides several retreats and events throughout the year to promote healing for survivors of trauma. The following are some of the most popular and annual events.
State of Georgia Resources
Being a parent is hard work, and sometimes we can all use a little help to get through the tough parts. 1-800-CHILDREN (1-800-244-5373) is a free statewide helpline that will give you information you can use wherever you live in Georgia. The Helpline is an information and referral number for anyone concerned about the healthy development of a child. It provides programs that support families, caregivers, and professionals through community resources. It is Bilingual and open Monday to Friday 9AM – 6PM. Callers can talk to a trained individual who cares and wants to help.
Child Protective Services
Child Protective Services staff investigate reports of child abuse and/or neglect in an effort to provide services to protect the child and strengthen the family.
The Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) of Georgia are child-focused, child-friendly facilities where children feel safe enough to receive the help they need to end the abuse and begin the process of healing. There are 46 CACs in Georgia, the third most in the nation, with essential multidisciplinary team members working together to serve the needs of the children.
- http://www.cacga.org/centers/
The Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Stephanie V. Blank Center for Safe and Healthy Children, a service of Children’s at Scottish Rite and Children’s at Hughes Spalding hospitals, promotes the safety, protection and well-being of children through advocacy in the community and the identification, assessment and prevention of child abuse.
In accordance with O.C.G.A. § 42-1-12, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is the central repository for Georgia’s Violent Sexual Offender Registry. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation makes every effort to ensure that the information contained in the Georgia Sex Offender Registry is accurate.
Public Safety
As the nation’s clearinghouse & comprehensive reporting center for all issues related to the prevention of and recovery from child victimization, NCMEC leads the fight against abduction, abuse, and exploitation – because every child deserves a safe childhood.
NetSmartz Workshop is an interactive, educational program of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC) that provides age-appropriate resources to help teach children how to be safer on- and offline. The program is designed for children ages 5-17, parents and guardians, educators, and law enforcement. With resources such as videos, games, activity cards, and presentations, NetSmartz entertains while it educates.
- NetSmartz.org
- [español]
The Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) is an unprecedented public safety resource that provides the public with access to sex offender data nationwide. NSOPW is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Justice and state, territorial, and tribal governments, working together for the safety of adults and children.
Dedicated to providing information on child abuse and inspiring hope to everyone involved in the effort to prevent the abuse and neglect of children.
Violence is a serious public health problem. From infants to the elderly, it affects people in all stages of life. Many more survive violence and suffer physical, mental, and or emotional health problems throughout the rest of their lives. CDC is committed to stopping violence before it begins.
Internet Safety
Common Sense Media is the leading independent nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of media and technology. The purpose of Common Sense Media is to empower parents, teachers, and policymakers by providing unbiased information, trusted advice, and innovative tools to help them harness the power of media and technology as a positive force in all kids’ lives.
ConnectSafely is a Silicon Valley, California based nonprofit organization dedicated to educating users of connected technology about safety, privacy and security. Here you will find research-based safety tips, parents’ guidebooks, advice, news and commentary on all aspects of tech use and policy.
