Protecting God’s Children for Adults Program
In accordance with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop’s Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People all adult diocesan employees (lay and religious), and all volunteers who regularly or routinely work with children/youth or those who have highly responsible volunteer roles, are required to complete the Protecting God’s Children for Adults training.
The Protecting God’s Children for Adults training is a research-based training program that educates adults on how to become better protectors of children from child sexual abuse. Participants will learn how to become safer adults who are a part of the solution to prevent, and respond to, child sexual abuse.
Participants will learn:
- The reality and context of child sexual abuse, as well as victim/survivor advocacy.
- How to identify problematic behavior that adults exhibit.
- How abuse affects survivors, their families, and their communities.
- The importance of maintaining healthy boundaries with children and youth.
- Empowering action items and five comprehensive research-based steps to prevent and effectively respond to child sexual abuse, including: identifying warning signs of adult behavior, screening and selecting employees and volunteers, using technology appropriately when interacting with minors, responding to disclosures from children and youth, communicating concerns about inappropriate behavior and reporting suspected abuse.
The Protecting God’s Children for Adults training features an in-person or live virtual sessions. The link below connects to the Virtus website listing of currently scheduled training sessions within the Diocese of Richmond. To register for one of the sessions, click the Start Registration button. You will be prompted to create a user id and password. Follow the prompts to continue the registration process. After entering your personal information, a drop down function will enable you to select a Diocese of Richmond training center location/date/time. Continue to follow instructions as indicated to complete the pre-registration process. The Protecting God’s Children for Adults session is not recommended for those under the age of 18.
Healthy Boundaries for Adults: Boundary Development and Implementation
All adult diocesan employees (lay and religious), and all volunteers who regularly or routinely work with children/youth or those who have highly responsible volunteer roles are required to complete a mandatory five year refresher program. The program approved for use in the diocese is VIRTUS: Healthy Boundaries for Adults: Boundary Development and Implementation 1.0.
This module addresses the proper development of healthy boundaries, and the implementation of them within the ministry environment. The module seeks to equip the caring adult with the information needed to move past simply understanding boundaries and helps to put them into practice. Best practices of appropriate and inappropriate behavior will be discussed. Training groups include necessary boundaries between adults and children in ministry, and necessary boundaries between adults in ministry together.
Vulnerable Adults
Although the Protecting God’s Children for Adults program is primarily designed to address the issues of creating safe environments for children and young people, much of what it promotes is applicable to the vulnerable adult population as well. The term ‘vulnerable adults’ can apply to people with a physical, mental, or emotional condition or an illness that renders them unable to defend themselves, protect themselves, or get help for themselves when injured or emotionally abused. The term can also apply to the elderly population.
This is a supplemental module to our existing “Protecting God’s Children for Adults” training sessions. The online module, “Vulnerable Adults Training Module” describes various definitions of vulnerable adults, as well as the reality and context of abuse of these individuals. In addition, five steps and best practice actions are presented to help caring adults understand proper behavior to prevent abuse and to respond appropriately if made aware of a problem.
Empowering God’s Children
The prevention of child sexual abuse requires more than adult awareness, education, and training about the nature and scope of the problem. We must also give children and youth the tools they need to help us keep them safe by educating them regarding boundaries, safe and unsafe behaviors and healthy relationships. Empowering God’s Children® is an age-appropriate comprehensive program through which educators (teachers, catechists and youth ministers) and parents can give children and youth the tools they need to protect themselves and teach them what to do if someone tries to violate their boundaries. All materials are available in English and Spanish.
Each year, the program provides a theme that introduces and builds on the basic concepts of the Teaching Boundaries and Safety Guide. The material is developmentally appropriate for each age group and includes content and activities that
reinforce the message. Within each lesson plan is the ability to tailor the activities and messaging to meet the needs of the children and youth at all levels.
Empowering God’s Children – Parent Guide
Boundaries Module for Youth Who are Employees or Assisting/Volunteers
The Diocese of Richmond values the contribution of teenagers employed or who serve in volunteer assignments. To ensure the safety of children and young people, prior to starting their assignment, teenagers are to complete an online VIRTUS training module – Boundaries Module for Youth Who are Employees or Assisting/Volunteers. This training module is highly encouraged for teen volunteers, but is mandatory for teen employees. To register for this training, parents/guardians of the youth employee or volunteer are required to click on the following link to register and receive an authorization code to allow their teenager to register and complete the training program. Registration Link
Virtus Teen Program Parent Guide
Protecting God’s Children for Adults Facilitator Training
The Office of Safe Environment is grateful for our VIRTUS facilitators, who graciously offer their time to facilitate the Protecting God’s Children for Adults program. Due to this commitment our employees and volunteers are better equipped to identify, report, and prevent child sexual abuse. In preparation for the role of a facilitator, all individuals must complete the Protecting God’s Children for Adults Facilitator Training
To register for VIRTUS Training click Start Registration
For additional questions, please contact:
Your local Administrator or The Office of Safe Environment (804) 622-5175