April 25, 2021 - "National Child Sexual Abuse & Sexual Assault Prevention Month"

Wilton Cardinal Gregory, Archbishop of Washington, celebrated a noon Mass on April 21 which was live streamed online in observance of April as National Child Sexual Abuse and Sexual Assault Prevention Month.  Cardinal Gregory encourages us that “[a]s we work together to bring this darkness in our community to light, let us continue to embrace those who are suffering with such pain and respond in a way that supports healing, comfort and peace.”
 
Courtney Chase, the executive director of the Office of Child Protection & Safe Environment for the Archdiocese of Washington, noted recently the importance of safe environment training has not been detoured because of the pandemic because every individual regardless of age or sex or anything else has the right to a safe environment.  Her office has created a virtual, interactive online training so that community members can be educated on the many important aspects of child protection and safe environment.  The Office of Child Protection has one-and-a-half hour sessions online to address how to identify signs of abuse and sexual assault and how to properly support and create a safe environment for everyone.
 
Parents of course play the primary role in educating their children about sexual abuse.  Here are five tips for teaching safety to our children:
 
Parents of course play the primary role in educating their children about sexual abuse.  Here are five tips for teaching safety to our children:
 
1. Keep it practical.  Teach your children the differences between safe touches and unsafe touches.
 
2. Tell your children that saying “no” is okay.  Empower your children to say “no” if anyone makes them feel uncomfortable or touches them inappropriately.
 
3. Give your children a way to alert you.  Tell your children they can use an excuse or share a special "code-word” with you to alert you about an unsafe person or situation.
 
4. Tell your children to report an unsafe touch.  Let your children know they should tell you if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe around any adult or peer.  You can also identify other adults they can tell about unsafe touches.
 
5. Tell your children that you trust them.  If your child makes a report to you, believe him or her.  Tell them that it is not their fault and that you love them.  Immediately bring the allegation to the attention of public authorities.
Finally, the Archdiocese of Washington has provided the following prayer to be prayed during this month:

“God of endless love, ever caring, ever strong, always present, always just:  You gave your only Son to save us by the blood of his cross.
 
“Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace, join to your own suffering the pain of all who have hurt in body, mind, and spirit by those who betrayed the trust placed in them.
 
“Hear the cries of our brothers and sisters who have been gravely harmed, and the cries of those who love them.  Soothe their restless hearts with hope, steady their shaken spirits with faith.  Grant them justice for their cause, enlightened by your truth.
 
“Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts, heal your people’s wounds and transform brokenness into wholeness.  Grant us the courage and wisdom, humility and grace, to act with justice. Breathe wisdom into our prayers and labors. Grant that all harmed by abuse may find peace in justice. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.  Amen.”
 
Until next week,
Fr. John