The Safeguard the Children program was established to create a safe environment for children and youth in all Catholic parish communities. All adults with any interaction with children are required to be fingerprinted – Livescan and to attend a 3 hour Virtus training session.
All clergy, paid parish/school personnel and volunteers who work regularly in a supervisory role with children or youth must be fingerprinted. For more information, call The Office of Safeguard the Children at: (213) 637-7680 or visit this webpage.
Our world is a constantly changing place. That is why we ensure to include articles for you to read in order to keep up-to-date on resources to ensure we keep God’s Children safe. Click the button below for more information.
As the Victims Assistance Coordinator for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, I want you to know that your contact is very important to us. We have learned over the years from survivors that it takes great courage for a person who has experienced abuse by someone in the Church, to reach out to that same Church, either to make an abuse report or to ask for assistance of any kind.
We echo the words Pope Francis said to survivors in Philadelphia, in September 2015, “words cannot fully express our sorrow for the abuse you suffered and I am profoundly sorry that your innocence was violated by those who you trusted”.
In that light and since you have taken this first step to look at our website, we encourage you to contact us directly at (213) 637-7650 or our toll-free number (800)-355-2545. It is our sincere hope that the Office of Victims Assistance Ministry can support your healing and reconciliation.
Most sincerely,
DR. HEATHER BANIS, Victims Assistance Ministry Coordinator
(213)637-7650 / [email protected] /