National Child Abuse Prevention Month is an annual observance in the United States dedicated to raising awareness and preventing child abuse. April has been designated Child Abuse Prevention Month in the United States since 1983. During April, we recognize National Child Abuse Prevention Month and the importance of communities working together to support and strengthen families and prevent child maltreatment. During Child Abuse Prevention Month, the blue ribbon and pinwheel symbolize hope, awareness, and the commitment to prevent child abuse, representing the joy and playfulness of childhood and the importance of safe, nurturing environments for all children. The color blue serves as a visual reminder of the bruises and pain children can endure, and it symbolizes the fight for protection and the commitment to ending child abuse.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines child abuse and child maltreatment as “all forms of physical and/or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or commercial or other exploitation, resulting in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival, development or dignity in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power.”
How has the Catholic Church responded to child abuse?
“It is essential that we, as a Church, be able to acknowledge and condemn, with sorrow and shame, the atrocities perpetrated by consecrated persons, clerics, and all those entrusted with the mission of watching over and caring for those most vulnerable.” Pope Francis says on the topic.
Research estimates that one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before they turn 18. The Catholic Church is deeply committed to protecting children from abuse and holding people accountable for inflicting such pain. In December 2021, the revised Book VI of the Code of Canon Law went into effect. This is the most recent of several documents that specifically address the issue of child abuse. Other documents include Vos estis lux mundi and Vademecum. These documents expand the definition of acts which are considered abusive, clarify the manner in which the cases are processed, and hold people accountable for their actions or inactions with regard to processing of a case. Of significant importance is attention given to the care of victim-survivors and all who have been harmed.
What is happening in our diocese to protect children?
- The Office of Child and Youth Protection was created in 2003 to oversee the diocesan commitment to implement and maintain safe environment policy guidelines.
Training is provided for all adults and youth to identify warning signs and develop strategies for maintaining a safe environment for all. - Training includes reporting suspected child abuse to civil authorities.
- A designated Victim Assistance Coordinator is available to receive reports and accompany victims through their journey.
- A volunteer independent Diocesan Review Board assists the bishop in the review of cases and makes recommendations for moving forward.
- A Safe Environment Coordinator assists parish and school personnel with training and background screenings for anyone who may have access to children.
- An audit is conducted by an independent firm to evaluate implementation of the National Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Findings are incorporated with those of other dioceses and made available in an Annual Report.
Last year, the Diocese of San Bernardino reported that all 242 priests accounted for within the Diocese of San Bernardino had completed safe environment training, as well as all 172 deacons and 45 candidates for ordination, 1,121 lay employees, 522 Catholic school educators, 8,031 volunteers with minors, and 28,019 (K-12) minors enrolled in parish and Catholic school programs. The aforementioned adult groups are also required to undergo a California Department of Justice and FBI background check.
The Office of Child and Youth Protection oversees the required safe environment training for adults and minors. Adult training is offered either online or in-person, through the CMG Connect, a safe environment service web-based platform that assists us in training employees and volunteers who are in a position of trust with children and vulnerable adults to recognize behavior patterns of potential abusers and provide proactive measures for preventing abuse in any context. Personal safety sessions for minors (K-12) are offered locally by parishes and schools, integrated into the parish and school curriculum.
Parent tips for preventing child abuse:
Child abuse is preventable. There are steps we can take as a community to better protect children from harm.
- Listen to your child: Talking with your child and listening to what he or she has to say is the first step in preventing abuse.
- Know those that have contact with your child: Most abusers are someone the child or family knows and trusts.
- Minimize Opportunity: Avoid one adult/one child situations. Drop-in when your child may be alone with another adult or minor (even close family members).
- Recognize the Signs: Don’t expect obvious signs when a child is being abused. Signs are often there, but you must know what to look for, such as withdrawal, change in mood behavior, lower school grades, isolation, addiction.
- Monitor your child’s Internet and cell phone use: Offenders often use social media and text messaging to lure minors into secretive relationships and physical contact.
- React Responsibly: Be prepared to react responsibly if a child discloses abuse to you, or if you suspect or see that boundaries have been violated.
To report suspected child abuse, call the local law-enforcement and Your County’s Child Protective Services:
San Bernardino County (1800) 827-8724 Riverside County (800) 442-4918
- Educate your child: Teach your child about their body and the difference between appropriate and inappropriate touches. They should also know that inappropriate touches could occur with strangers, a family member, adult friend or an older youth. Teach your child that it is okay to tell another safe adult.
- Educate yourself: Sign up to take a free safe environment training course to learn how to identify and prevent abuse. Contact the Office of Child and Youth Protection at (909) 475-5125 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for information on safe environment training and other resources.