National Child Abuse Prevention Month is celebrated annually in April.
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia will participate in the national observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Celebrated annually during the month of April, this initiative underscores the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect.
Recently, Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, Archbishop of Philadelphia, released video messages in ENGLISH and SPANISH to stress the Archdiocese’s extraordinary commitment to protecting the children, young people, and vulnerable adults entrusted to its care.
Through the Office for Child and Youth Protection (OCYP), the Archdiocese will bring national programs such as Pinwheels for Prevention on April 11 and Blue Sunday on April 30 to the local Church. OCYP will also run an awareness campaign surrounding the topic of child abuse prevention and awareness via its social media platforms OCYP Twitter and OCYP Instagram.
Leslie Davila, MS, Director of OCYP since 2011, said, “Our commitment to the protection of children in the Archdiocese is a year-round endeavor, however, we mark April and Child Abuse Prevention Month as an opportunity to raise awareness and further educate all clergy, employees, volunteers, and lay faithful in the Archdiocese on warning signs of abuse; responsibilities of each of us as mandated reporters; and advocacy for the victims of child abuse and crime.” She went on to say, “I offer my prayerful gratitude to the incredible OCYP team as well as the countless safe environment coordinators for their tireless commitment to this vital ministry of the protection of the children and young people entrusted to our care throughout the five-county region. I encourage everyone to use this month to learn more about the work and resources offered through the OCYP as well as to participate in the many special programs being offered.”
Archbishop Pérez will also send a letter of prayerful gratitude to nearly 280 safe environment coordinators who serve in the schools, parishes, and youth ministry programs throughout the Archdiocese in recognition of their critical efforts each day.
To learn more about the work and resources provided by the OCYP in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit https://childyouthprotection.org/.
Background on the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Office for Child and Youth Protection
The Archdiocesan Office for Child and Youth Protection is comprised of caring professionals whose purpose is to support the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s commitment to creating and maintaining safe environments for the children who attend its churches, schools, and youth programs. Additionally, OCYP provides compassionate and supportive assistance to individuals who have been the victims/survivors of child sexual abuse and their family members.
The Archdiocesan schools and parish religious education programs offer age-appropriate child abuse prevention and technology safety instruction annually. During the 2021-2022 academic year, over 100,000 students in our elementary, secondary and parish religious education program received Child Abuse prevention lessons. In addition, 6,228 adults received mandated reporter training.
OCYP takes its direction from The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which includes guidelines for reconciliation, healing, accountability, and prevention of future acts of abuse.
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Editor’s Note: To learn more about National Child Abuse Prevention Month, please visit https://preventchildabuse.org/buildingtogether2023/. Please visit, https://childyouthprotection.org/ for more information on OCYP.