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Contact Felipe Sanchez, Director of Administrator | (310) 566-1502 |
About Safeguard the Children
Providing a safe environment for children, youth, and vulnerable adults
Safeguard the Children is a comprehensive program designed to promote a safe environment for children, youth and vulnerable adults and prevent child sexual abuse. The program was initiated in all dioceses in the United States at the direction of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
There is a Safeguard the Children (STC) Committee in each parish which helps to implement the objectives of the USCCB “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.” The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has produced an informative brochure entitled "Working Together" that provides resources on how to prevent abuse and provides information on reporting child abuse. You can find it along with more information about the policies and activities of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in “Protecting Our Children" at www.lacatholics.org/departments-ministries/protecting-children/ .
You can also read the monthly bulletin put out by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles at: www.lacatholics.org/did-you-know/
Requirements for Parish Clergy, Staff, and Volunteers at St. Monica
- All volunteers and clergy, along with our staff, regardless of whether they work with or around children in any way, are required to attend a VIRTUS session, “Protecting God’s Children” adult awareness training session.
- Any volunteer who supervises or is perceived to supervise children in any way is required to submit to a background check in the form of fingerprinting by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. You can sign up for free at LiveScan fingerprinting
- Faith Formation volunteers, students and their parents take part annually in the ”Empowering God's Children” or other approved safe environment education program.
- All parish staff are required to submit to a background check in the form of fingerprinting by the Los Angeles Archdiocese
For a schedule of VIRTUS sessions and fingerprinting at St. Monica, please check latest announcements or the calendar. You can also call the Parish Office at (310) 566-1500 for dates as well.
Child Abuse Prevention Month
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Child Abuse Prevention Month: April 2022
In honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, April 2022, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles invites you to join us in transforming awareness into action by participating in a special nine-day Novena for Protecting and Healing from Abuse, April 22-30.
The Office of Safeguard the Children is dedicated to “protecting all of God’s children” by fully implementing Article 12 of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People adopted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2002. The office provides ongoing support, education, training and resources to help prevent child sexual abuse and to address children’s safety in our parishes, schools, homes and communities.
To this end, St. Monica Safeguard the Children (STC) Committee continues to assess and implement the objectives of the charter and to protect vulnerable populations in our midst. Our community regularly hosts VIRTUS training and fingerprinting opportunities to ensure that our volunteers, clergy, and staff have been trained on what a safe environment should look like. It is important that everyone is aware of what abuse can look like, and that we report suspected child or elder abuse. We are all responsible for the care and safety of children and vulnerable adults.
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles also continues helping survivors of sexual abuse and their families during National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and on behalf of Archbishop José H. Gomez, we affirm our continued commitment to report allegations of sexual misconduct to law enforcement, support victim-survivors in their healing journey, and protect children and the vulnerable.
As a community, we hold victims and survivors in our hearts and pray for healing throughout our nation. We will light our candle on Apr. 25 and in a special way pray for protection and healing from abuse. May we all find comfort in the love and support of our community, gathered together to protect the most vulnerable.
"United in Prayer" Novena: Apr. 22-30
Together for the next nine days, let us pray that the vulnerable are protected from abuse, and that survivors of abuse may be accompanied ont heir paths to healing.
Intercessions
Click Here to View Daily Intercessions!
Prayers
Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be, Prayer for Healing
Prayer for Healing
God of endless love,
ever caring, ever strong,
always present, always just:
You gave your only Son
to save us by his blood and cross.
Gently Jesus, shepherd of peace,
join to your own suffering
the pain of all who have been hurt
in body, mind, and spirit
by those who betrayed the trust places in them.
Hear the cries of our brothers and sisters
who have been gravely harmed,
and the cries of those who love them.
Soothe their restless hearts with hope,
steady their shaken spirits with faith.
Grant them justice for their cause,
enlightened by your truth.
Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts,
heal your people's wounds
and transform brokeness into wholeness.
Grant us the courage and wisdom,
humility and grace, to act with justice.
Breathe wisdom into our prayers and labors.
Grant that all hamred by abuse may find peace in justice.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Did You Know?
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Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Monday, 09 May 2022Read more...
Even at a young age, children are capable of much more than we might believe, including the development of certain skills that could keep them safe in an emergency. As soon as your child is able to distinguish numbers, teach them how to dial 9-1-1 in case of an emergen...
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Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Tuesday, 03 May 2022Read more...
If you suspect a child is being abused, it is important to know who to call with your information. In California, the agency that handles child abuse tips is the Department of Social Services — Division of Children and Family Services. Anyone who suspects abuse can cal...
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Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Tuesday, 26 April 2022Read more...
As the weather heats up, children and their families are drawn to the cool water pools, ponds and the ocean offer. Parents and caregivers should keep a few safety tips in mind when children are near water. Watch children at all times, keep weak swimmers and younger chi...
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Embrace Action Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Wednesday, 20 April 2022Read more...
June 2022 marks the 20th Anniversary of the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. We, as the People of God, continue our commitment to Promise to Protect and Pledge to Heal, we ask you to unite in a special prayer for victims of child sexual ab...
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Embrace Action Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Monday, 11 April 2022Read more...
During National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and on behalf of Archbishop José H. Gomez, we affirm our continued commitment to report allegations of sexual misconduct to law enforcement, support victim-survivors in their healing journey, and protect children and the vu...
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Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Thursday, 07 April 2022Read more...
The Office of Safeguard the Children of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles annually publishes the Working Together to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse brochure, which provides an up-to-date listing of safe environment policies, programs, resources, contact numbers and other impo...
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Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Tuesday, 29 March 2022Read more...
In honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month this April, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles invites you to join us in transforming awareness into action by participating in a special nine-day Novena for Protecting and Healing from Abuse, April 22-30. For more informat...
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Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Tuesday, 22 March 2022Read more...
Most children engage in age-appropriate behaviors, exploring their bodies to understand how they work. It is important for parents and caregivers to understand the difference between natural, healthy curiosity and inappropriate behaviors that would raise red flags sugg...
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Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Tuesday, 15 March 2022Read more...
For many young people, the widespread legalization of marijuana has provided more opportunities to try it, and in a variety of ways. Edibles — marijuana-infused brownies, gummies, candies, and other foods — are gaining popularity. Talk to your teens about the risks ass...
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Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Wednesday, 09 March 2022Read more...
Good ministry occurs when a person establishes and respects healthy boundaries with the people he or she is trying to serve. Those who work in ministry have to be aware of healthy boundaries and what is and is not appropriate for these scenarios, because the risk of vi...
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Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Thursday, 03 March 2022Read more...
Parents are — rightly — focused on car seat safety from the minute they bring their children home from the hospital. But as children grow up, things change. They get taller, they weigh more, the family may change cars or add siblings. It is important to periodically ch...
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Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Wednesday, 23 February 2022Read more...
If your children use the internet or social media, you will want to decide how, when, and where they can use it. Review privacy settings on apps, games, and websites, and talk to your children about how to keep their information private and safe. Check in often to make...
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Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Tuesday, 15 February 2022Read more...
Adult apprehension about discussing touching safety can get in the way of creating a safe environment for children, but doing so is critical to children’s well-being. Keep the touching rules short and sweet: No one has the right to touch a child’s private parts except ...
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Embrace Action Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Tuesday, 08 February 2022Read more...
School shootings are in the news often, and children can understandably develop major fears about them. Keep up with what your children are talking about — if they seem to be focused on school shootings, it can be helpful to talk about these types of violence in a bala...
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Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Wednesday, 02 February 2022Read more...
Today, as we deal with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is noteworthy that the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) reported that child safety has also been affected as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. “In 2021, NCMEC stated that they had experie...
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Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Tuesday, 25 January 2022Read more...
Did you know that the Archdiocese of Los Angeles requires all staff members, and volunteers who work in any capacity with or around children, the elderly, or people with special needs, to complete the VIRTUS® Protecting God’s Children for Adults program? This program h...
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Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Thursday, 20 January 2022Read more...
Teens and social media have been in the news a lot over the past several months, as research shows how damaging social media sites can be for self-esteem, productivity, and overall well-being. Instagram has been called out, with research citing harm done by filters and...
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Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Monday, 13 December 2021Read more...
If there is a fire in your home, there is a 900-degree difference between a closed door and an open one. Firefighters recommend that you always close doors before you and your children go to sleep. Remembering the simple phrase “Close before you doze” can help prevent ...
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Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Tuesday, 07 December 2021Read more...
Ever been met with silence when you ask, “How was your day?” Your communication efforts with your children, especially school-age children, may need some tweaking. Try asking concrete questions, like “Who did you sit next to at lunch?” or, “What was the most interestin...
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Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Tuesday, 30 November 2021Read more...
Keeping tabs on how our children are using social media can seem quite daunting, even for parents who know their way around social media. But if you’re not paying attention to TikTok, the newest and most popular platform on the scene, it is time to do so. Check in with...
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Reporting Abuse
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Reporting Child Abuse and Elder or Vulnerable Adult Abuse
It is important that everyone report suspected child or elder abuse. If you ever come across suspected abuse, we urge you to call the Los Angeles County Child Protection Hotline at (800) 540-4000. The hotline is operated twenty-four hours, around the clock, seven days a week. You don’t need to know that child abuse or neglect is taking place, you are welcome to report your suspicions and consult with a social worker if you are not clear whether what you are witnessing or have learned of is abuse. Depending on your profession, you might even be legally obligated to report suspected child abuse and neglect, a so-called “mandated reporter.” But if you are not a mandated reporter, you can even make your report anonymously.
Priests, deacons, school faculty and administrators and other staff members in our parish and schools have been designated as mandated reporters under California law. When one of these persons receives information leading to a “reasonable suspicion” that a child is being abused or neglected, he or she must make a report to the appropriate child protection or law enforcement agency. For more information on Responding to an Allegation of Suspected Child Abuse: www.lacatholics.org/departments-ministries/protecting-children/ .
If you are being abused, have been abused, or know someone who is being abused and you need assistance making a report, call Victims Assistance Ministry at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles at (800) 355.2545,
You may also seek help directly by contacting one of the Child Protective Services or one of the Law Enforcement Agencies listed below. In an emergency, call 911.
- LA County Child Abuse Hotline
(800) 540-4000 - Investigative Control Unit for All Child Abuse Reports
(213) 486-0530 - Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Special Victims Bureau (24 hours)
(562) 946-8531
To speak to a detective
(562) 946-7960 - District Attorney’s Office
Sexual Crimes Division
(213) 974-9790
Family Violence Division
(213) 974-3785 - For callers residing outside of California who wish to contact Child Protective Services in Los Angeles
(213) 639-4500
- LA County Child Abuse Hotline
Volunteer
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Volunteer Opportunity
The Safeguard the Children committee welcomes inquiries from parishioners with backgrounds in social services, law enforcement, education, child health or legal issues who are interested in joining the committee. Contact Felipe Sanchez at or (310) 566-1502.
Mass
Mon–Fri 7:00 am - Church
Mon–Fri 12:10 pm - Livestream & Church
Sat 8:00 am - Church & Livestream
Sat Vigil 5:30 pm - Church
Sun 7:30 am - Church
Sun 9:30 am - Livestream, Church & Grand Pavilion
Sun 11:30 am - Church
Sun 4 pm - Outdoors
Sun 5:30 pm - Church & Livestream
Confession
Mon-Fri 5:30–6 pm
Please arrive before 6 pm
Sat 4:30–5:00 pm
Reservations no longer required.
contact us
St. Monica Catholic Community
725 California Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90403
310-566-1500 Contact Us
St Monica Schools
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