April has been set aside as national Child Abuse Prevention Month. Recent statistics tell us that one out of every four girls and one out of every six boys are sexually abused before they turn 18. In the VIRTUS® Protecting God’s Children sessions that employees and volunteers of the Diocese of Camden attend, we learn to identify “warning signs” that an individual may be a potential abuser. During this time of COVID and social distancing, the sessions have been virtual.
These warning signs include: the individual prefers spending time with children more than with adults, the individual gives inappropriate gifts to the child, the individual thinks that rules do not apply to him/her, the individual engages in excessive touch or tickling, the individual has secrets with the child.
Any one of these warning signs could be a red flag that the individual is grooming the child in order to enter into an abusive relationship. People taking this training of the Protecting God’s Children sessions are taught to always have “careful suspicion” of any adult volunteering or working with children. We can never be too protective of our children.
Another very important lesson learned is that the molester/abuser is a very careful manipulator, taking lots of time to groom the child, the family and the community. We cannot be complacent.
Volunteers and employees interacting with children are taught what to do and how to report if child abuse is suspected.
Jesus calls us all to care for the most vulnerable among us and this especially includes children. Our faith also calls for us to uphold the value of human life and the dignity of the human person. The protection of children is the responsibility of all of us, a responsibility which is of the highest priority in the life of the church.
But this responsibility is not just church related. During Child Abuse Prevention Month, we are reminded of the call to be instruments of justice, working for the common good of all. During this month we should be vigilant about ensuring a safe environment not just in the church but in scouting programs, in music lessons, in karate lessons, in YMCA programs — everywhere.
During this difficult time of COVID, our families may be facing an overwhelming amount of stress, worry, anxiety and pressure. The following resources are available:
New Jersey Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline (to report abuse or neglect of a minor), 1-877-652-2873
Family Help Line (for adults feeling stress that they may become abusive), 1-800-843-5437
2nd Floor Youth Helpline (for minors to call if they are being abused), 1-888-222-2228
National Domestic Violence Hotline (for anyone affected by domestic violence), 1-800-799-7233
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services, 1-800-985-5990
May God bless you and your family and may you all be safe and well.
Rod J. Herrera, LCSW, is Director, Office of Child and Youth Protection, Diocese of Camden.
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
