The term “hedge of protection” has been used when describing the layers of safeguards initiated to protect children and vulnerable adults from being victims of sexual abuse within our church and community at large.
In February, Teresa Kettlekamp, director for the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, came to Anchorage to meet with clergy and staff within the archdiocese and to discuss further the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and its implementation.
Two important points were discussed about how to strengthen the “hedge of protection” for our children and vulnerable adults.
First, education is key to prevention. Training our children, priests, volunteers, catechists, staff, parents and all parishioners is vital to understanding how to identify the risks and actions needed when dealing with abuse.
Secondly, it is important to recognize that our implementation of the charter is not just a list of requirements imposed on us due to the clergy sexual abuse crisis. Rather, it is a response to who we are as Catholic Christians and our belief in the respect and dignity of all people.
You are strongly encouraged to familiarize yourselves with the information on this page so all of us working together can ensure the safety of our most vulnerable.
The writer is the director of Safe Environment for the Anchorage Archdiocese.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Catholic Anchor Online - Anchorage Safe-Environment head says all are called to protect children from sexual abuse
