Simple steps anyone can take:

• Educate yourself about child abuse prevention.
• Report any suspicions of child abuse.
• Listen to children.
• Know that abuse is never a victim's fault.
• Believe you can make a difference.

Parents and Guardians:

• Teach children about healthy and safe relationships.
• Know the warning signs of potential abuse.
• Know about your children's lives. Who do they spend time with? Where do they spend their time? Look out for older individuals who seem to be befriending your child.
• Make sure that personnel at your child's school or other adults in their lives are trained in sexual abuse prevention. Make sure your child knows what to do in the event of an assault. 

"The USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People clearly directs all dioceses and eparchies in the United States to train and educate clergy, staff, volunteers, parents, children and youth in abuse prevention in the context of a comprehensive safe environment program. The burden of prevention falls on the adults who strive to maintain a safe environment for children and youth. Such education does not place the burden of preventing child abuse on children, but gives them life-saving information in the event that prevention efforts fail."

Elizabeth A. Heidt Kozisek, Ph.D.
Director, Child Protection Office
Diocese of Grand Island, NE

Helpful Documents*

• Protecting Your Kids on Social Media
• Cyberbully Prevention: Questions Parents Should Ask their Their Children About Technology
• Cyberbully Prevention: Top Ten Tips for Parents
• What To Do When Your Child is Cyberbullied: Top Ten Tips for Parents
• Parents' Guide To Smart Phone Safety
• Help Stop Child Trafficking
• Child Sex Trafficking in America: A Guide for Parents and Guardians
• Tips for Parents: Preventing Abduction
• Tips for Parents: Going Out Checklist
   

Parent/Grandparent/Guardian Resources*

• Hot Chocolate Talk: How to talk to your child about abuse
• Ten Points for Protecting Children
• Know the Rules: For Child Safety in Youth Sports
• Know the Rules: For Going to and from School More Safely
• Know the Rules: For Children Who Are Home Alone
• Know the Rules: Abduction and Harm Prevention Tips for Parents and Guardians
• Warning Signs of Abusers
• Tips for Parents, from Preventing Child Maltreatment and Promoting Well-Being
• Keeping Kids Safer on the Internet
• Cyberbullying Unplugged
• CyberSecurity Made Clear
   

Safety tips for teens:

• Social Media Safety for Teens
• Cell Phone Safety: Ten Tips for Teens
• Preventing Cyberbullying: Top Tips for Teens

• Proteja a sus hijos en los medios sociales
• Consejos para los padres/tutores
• Cómo mantener más seguros a los niños en Internet
• Hostigamiento cibernético
• Todo Claro con la Ciberseguridad

Conozca las reglas:

• Para la seguridad de los niños en los Deportes Juveniles
• Para ir y volver de la escuela con más seguridad
• Para niños que están solos en el hogar
• Sustracción y daño Consejos de prevención para padres y guardianes

• Louis M. Makarowski, Ph.D., P.A.
  Pensacola/Ft. Walton area
  ☎ 850-477-7181
   
• Shannon D. Mullen, Ph.D. CSAT
  Licensed Psychologist GA - PSY003406
  Licensed Psychologist FL - PY10361
  Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT)
  ASPPB E.Passport for PSYPACT
  ☎ 229-233-8009
•  
• Deacon Santiago Molina
  En Español
  ☎ 850-627-2350

Bishop's Designee
Msgr. Michael Reed, J.C.L.
☎ (850) 435-3520

Diocesan Response Team
Msgr. Michael Reed, J.C.L.
Louis M. Makarowski Ph.D., P.A.

Independent Review Board
Reverend Douglas Halsema
Deacon Don Krehely
Honorable John Parnham
Stephany Garnett
Shelly Claubaugh
Elizabeth Hrbacek
Paul Jansen
Mrs. Angela Guillaume  
Mrs. Anita Nasbaum
Mr. Greg Fayard

A Prayer for Our Church

Heavenly Father,
In every age, you have been our refuge.
Yet again and still, we stand before you
asking for your protection on your holy Church.

For the victims of abuse and their families, 
pour out your healing and your peace.

For the Bishops of this country,
continue to inspire their decisions,
and guide them with your spirit.

For the thousands of good and faithful priests,
who have followed your call to serve you and your people in holiness, 
sustain them by your grace.

For the faithful who are angry, confused, and searching for answers,
embrace them with your love, 
restore their trust,
console them with your clear Gospel message,
and renew them with your sacraments.

We place our Church in your hands,
for without you we can do nothing. 
May Jesus, our High Priest and true compass, 
continues to lead her in everything thought and action--
to be an instrument of justice,
a source of consolation,
a sacrament of unity,
and a manifestation of your faithful covenant.

Grant this through that same Jesus Christ, our Lord, 
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,  one God, forever and ever. 
Amen.

~ Rita Thiron, FDLC

Novena for the Abuse Crisis

Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world. Holy Spirit, comfort us, give us clarity and bring light to this darkness and evil.

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.

Saint Peter, pray for the Church, that it may be re-built, healed, and made holy.

St. Charles Lwanga and St. Monica, pray for the abused, the survivors and for justice.

St. Catherine of Siena, pray for reform and restoration of the clergy.

St. John Vianney, pray for the holiness of priests and bishops.

St. Benedict, pray that this evil be cast out of the Church.

St. Anthony, pray for us to find the way forward.

St. Paul, pray for the bishops that they may be fearless in confronting other bishops.

St. Augustine, pray for true repentance and transparency.

St. Dymphna, pray for consolation for the heartache, depression and anxiety this evil has caused.

Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

~ Pray More Novenas

Prayer for Healing for Victims of Abuse

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 been hurt
in body, mind, and spirit
by those who betrayed the trust placed in them.

Hear our cries as we agonize
over the harm done to our brothers and sisters.
Breathe wisdom into our prayers,
soothe restless hearts with hope,
steady shaken spirits with faith:
Show us the way to justice and wholeness,
enlightened by truth and enfolded in your mercy.

Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts,
heal your people’s wounds
and transform our brokenness.
Grant us courage and wisdom, humility and grace,
so that we may act with justice
and find peace in you.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

 

Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness
and snares of the devil.

May God rebuke him we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host,
by the Power of God,

cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits,
who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls.  Amen.