April is National Child Abuse Prevention month. During this month, the Office for the Protection of Children and Young People is working to call attention to the tragedy of child abuse in all its forms and provide solutions to combat it
As a parish, there are so many different ways and opportunities raise the awareness to this hidden problem. Simple ways this may be done include:
- Adding a petition to the General Intercessions
- Adding a pulpit announcement concerning how to contact the Office of Victim Assistance
- Posting infographs or posts related to child protection to your parish social media accounts
OPCYP would like to encourage you and the ministries that have been entrusted to you to consider raising awareness about child abuse prevention after throughout the month of April. If you do, we would love to know. Send us an email with pics, testimonies, and/or copies of what you did.
Below are a variety of links to resources OPCYP has gathered. Many are in English and Spanish. Feel free to use them as you see fit.
The United States of Catholic Conference of Bishops
Child Abuse Prevention Resource Booklet
Parish bulletin inserts
- April is Child Abuse Prevention Month (English)
- April is Child Abuse Prevention Month (Spanish)
- Child Protection Top Ten Tips (English)
- Child Protection Top Ten Tips (Spanish)
- Five Ways to protect your children from sexual abuse (Bulletin insert and foldable card)
- Cinco Maneras de proteger a tus hijos sobre el abuso sexual (Bulletin insert and foldable card)
- Warning Signs (English)
- Warning Signs (Spanish)
Social Media memes
- April is Child Abuse Prevention Month (English)
- April is Child Abuse Prevention Month (Spanish)
- Every Child Deserves a Safe Environment
Videos
Pope Francis
Quote/Graphic
Parental Resources
Diocesan materials
- Video Games and Youth
- Social Media and Youth
- Sample Family Cell Phone Contract
- Red Flags for Child and Youth Workers
- Parish Safe Environment Checklist
Safe, Smart and Social