How to see the protection procedures as a blessing, not a chore.
By Barbara Haacke, Director of Safe Environment
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19
What is Safe Environment and why do we need it? To quote the USCCB, “Safe Environment programs are more than risk management, focusing on the actions to reduce the risk of abuse, to reduce further damage to our children and our Church. They involve modeling Christ, creating for children the kind of loving relationships that Christ teaches about in His gospel message. Every protective message to children, from noting their unique and special creation, their dignity as a person, and the true meaning of loving relationships furthers the gospel message of Christ.” Safe Environment programs and policies are established to protect children, but they also protect you, the parish, the school, and your church family.
We can be a barrier for children coming to Christ simply by not listening to them or not hearing their cries for help. If we are not good stewards of people coming to Christ, then are we responsible for turning them away? Being a part of Safe Environment is a minimal time commitment but can have a huge impact on a person’s life. It’s also important for the future of the Catholic Church. As members of the universal church, we model Christ, creating for children a safe place to learn, to grow, and to thrive in a positive environment. We want our children to feel safe coming to church.
Employees and volunteers are an integral part of the Safe Environment program because you have close contact with children and vulnerable people. As the Safe Environment Coordinator for the Diocese I hear, ‘I’ve been a member of my parish for so many years that I shouldn’t have to do a background check’. Or ‘why do I have to do this at my age’? The reality is that a safe environment is about the safety of others. Unique to our diocese is the sheer geographical area. Safe Environment policies need to be consistent across the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings and we all need to be on-board to help vulnerable adults and children. Once a person decides not to be a part of the policies or the safeguards that have been established, it creates a void or a gap in the system that creates an opening for the next person to not participate. Consequently, the system will be broken. Secondly, Safe Environment is an educational program for adults to learn about abuse and neglect.
As employees and volunteers in the diocese, we are mandatory reporters of abuse – when we recognize it, we are required to report it to the authorities. Young people today face challenges and risks that have never been experienced before by any generation. Advances in technology, social media, the internet, and social networking sites have put young people and vulnerable adults at greater safety risk. The Diocese is dedicated to providing training to priests, clergy, teachers, religious educators, school personnel, etc. to look for anything out of the norm.
Safe Environment training educates us how to recognize the challenges that kids experience today. Are you ready, prepared, willing, and able to help a child in need?