Safe Environment Policies

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

In compliance with Article 12 of the US Council of Catholic Bishop’s Dallas Charter, Promise to Protect, Pledge to Heal: Charter for the Protection of Children And Young People Essential Norms (November 2002), the Diocese of St. Petersburg has established a Safe Environment Program for children and youth designed to provide them with education and training in ways to protect themselves from sexual abuse by those they know and from strangers.

Parents will also be trained in ways to make and maintain a safe environment for children and youth.

The Catholic Church of St. Petersburg has a commitment to safeguard the children and youth of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. This catechesis as contained in the curricula for Safe Environment education and training for children in the age groups K through 12 is prepared in age appropriate and sequential format in Catholic Schools, religious education, youth ministry and other programs organized under the responsibility of the Diocese.

This information and education provides standard components to be embedded and included in curricula and in the environment experienced by the children and young people in the name of the Church.

The following guidelines have been developed for the catechesis of the prevention of child sexual abuse. They have been developed to provide appropriate direction for programs of faith formation in the prevention of child sexual abuse in the parishes and schools of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg. These guidelines are designed to:

  • educate children and youth about improper touching relationships
  • educate children and youth about their rights to grow in a “safe environment”, free of sexual abuse.
  • provide children and youth with education and training pertaining to personal safety, especially sexual abuse
  • enable parishes and schools to be partners with parents in offering sound instruction on prevention of child sexual abuse to our children and youth,
  • help adults at all stages of life to understand the symptoms, signs, and impact of child sexual abuse and to be prepared to respond appropriately and helpfully to a child or youth who reports a sexual abuse situation

SAFE Workshops for parents and for children will be offered during the year. Please read your bulletin for further information.