Safe Environment

The Diocese of Great Falls-Billings recognizes that the protection of children and vulnerable adults is a responsibility shared by the entire Catholic community. How can you get involved?

The Catholic Church is absolutely committed to the safety of our children and vulnerable adults. In the U.S., over 4.5 million children, and 98% of adults who work with children, have been trained to identify and prevent abuse through Safe Environment policies. The Catholic Church has administered over 2 million background checks and is committed to being one of the safest institutions in the country.

The following is a summary of Safe Environment training in our Diocese for June 2020- July 2021.

• 2850 children participated in the Children’s Learning Program that brings age- appropriate safety training to children of all ages
• 1062 Background Checks were performed
• 2002 adults were certified in the Adult Training Program.

The Safe Environment Program teaches various themes to children including safety rules, trust, responding to unsafe situations, internet and phone safety, and predators. This is NOT sex education.

Compliance in the Safe Environment Policy is mandatory for all employees, including priests, deacons, seminarians, parish staff and volunteers. After a background check is completed, you will be trained in a different topic each year, including: 1) how to recognize child abuse and neglect, 2) professional boundaries, 3) internet safety, 4) preventing bullying, 5) how to protect vulnerable adults. Within the next year, training focused on suicide prevention will be added to the curriculum.

How can you be a part of the solution of preventing child abuse and neglect? Raise your awareness! Renew your faith and commitment to preventing abuse of people in the care of the Church, increase your knowledge and ability to deal effectively with child abuse issues, educate your children how to protect themselves, and learn how to report an offense.

If you are a volunteer or an employee of the Diocese, and you need to register in the Safe Environment program, please contact your parish Safe Environment Coordinator or call Barbara Haacke, the Diocesan Safe Environment Coordinator at 406-604-1850.