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.

Upcoming opportunities for VIRTUS and Fingerprinting at St. Monica

Check back for opportunities!

If there are any questions please contact Delis Alejandro, Pastoral Associate at .

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.

 

Upcoming opportunities for VIRTUS and Fingerprinting at St. Monica

 

Check back for opportunities!

 

If there are any questions please contact Delis Alejandro, Pastoral Associate at .

 

Child Abuse Prevention Month

Child Abuse Prevention Month: April 2026

In honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, April 2026, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles invites you to join us in transforming awareness into action.

 

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 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.

 

April Child Abuse Prevention Month Petitions

Together this month, let us pray that the vulnerable are protected from abuse, and that survivors of abuse may be accompanied on their paths to healing.

 

• That God may grant those affected by abuse in any way the courage to tell their
story and seek healing and that they may encounter the presence of Christ: we
pray to the Lord…

• That our leaders in government, that they may be effective in achieving peace and defending the rights of all, especially children and the most vulnerable: we pray to the Lord…

• For children and the vulnerable suffering any form of abuse or neglect, may
they be delivered into the compassion of the Lord: we pray to the Lord…

• For all those who take an active role in preventing child abuse and supporting
victim-survivors – we pray that they have the wisdom and strength to guide
our children through difficult times and set an example for future generations:
we pray to the Lord…

• For an end to all child abuse and neglect, that all of us may be an instrument
of peace, a beacon of light, and a source of healing: we pray to the Lord….

 

 

Did You Know?

 

Add Post Manage

• March 14-15 || Children and healthy relationships
  Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Monday, 09 March 2026

  Ideally, children should know what healthy relationships look like in their own lives. This example is important for them to learn how to develop their own relationships. Children need to know that everyone has the right to feel safe and respected, and that violence an...

  Read more...
• March 7-8 || What to do when a child discloses abuse
  Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Wednesday, 04 March 2026

  Receiving a disclosure of abuse is a huge responsibility — and one that must be handled properly to ensure the child’s safety. First and foremost, it is important to remain calm, and to let the child know that you are listening and taking them seriously. Assure them th...

  Read more...
• February 28-March 1 || Children and non-consensual images
  Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Wednesday, 25 February 2026

  Non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII) abuse can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender. In many cases, it can seem like the victim is part of the distribution of his or her own image. Even though a child may provide an intimate picture, children are not capable of...

  Read more...
• February 21-22 || Domestic violence and children
  Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Wednesday, 18 February 2026

  Domestic violence has many forms, including emotional, financial, physical, and sexual abuse. Research on children who live in homes with domestic violence shows that there can be long-standing consequences to a child’s health. Twenty-six states have passed laws protec...

  Read more...
• February 14-15 || Online enticement: what is it and how to talk about it
  Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Monday, 09 February 2026

  Online enticement involves an individual communicating with someone believed to be a child via the internet with the intent to commit a sexual offense or abduction. This is a broad category of online exploitation in which a child is being groomed to take sexually expli...

  Read more...
• February 7-8 || The real dangers of pornography exposure
  Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Wednesday, 04 February 2026

  We know that pornography is a great evil, and easy access to the internet makes it all too likely that many children will be exposed to pornography at increasingly young ages — even if they are not actively searching for it. Children who are exposed to pornography are ...

  Read more...
• January 31-February 1 || Facts about the Missing Children hotline
  Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Wednesday, 28 January 2026

  Since the Missing Children 24-hour hotline (1-800-THE-LOST or 1-800-843-5678) launched 41 years ago, countless children have been safely found and brought home. The hotline has received over 5 million calls in the last 41 years. During national emergencies and disaster...

  Read more...
• January 24-25 || What does grooming look like?
  Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Tuesday, 20 January 2026

  In practice, grooming relies on secrecy. Groomers use secrets to bind their child victims to them, starting with small secrets and working up to harmful ones, like abusive behaviors. Predators often use bribery (“I’ll let you stay up late and watch TV if you let me do ...

  Read more...
• January 17-18 || What is needed in a culture of safety?
  Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Tuesday, 13 January 2026

  By prioritizing safeguarding, education about healthy boundaries and access to support for survivors, we create safer learning environments for the children in our care in which we continually share responsibility among program leadership, employees, volunteers, famili...

  Read more...
• January 10-11 || How to advocate with children for their safety
  Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Monday, 05 January 2026

  As a safe adult, you have tremendous power to make a profound difference for children – not only by recognizing and responding to unsafe situations, but also by teaching children about their rights to safety and creating environments where they can speak up and get hel...

  Read more...
• January 3-4 || The challenge of complacency
  Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Tuesday, 30 December 2025

  Safe adults often move through the world with a heightened awareness of what could be suspicious behavior and warning signs – this may feel overwhelming. If they never encounter abuse, they could easily become complacent — thinking there is no potential for abuse becau...

  Read more...
• December 27-28 || Start the New Year reflecting on the protection of children and vulnerable persons
  Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Tuesday, 23 December 2025

  As we start the New Year and commemorate the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, we remember that Mary’s life was devoted to the good care and protection of her Son and to lead all to God the Father. This season also reminds us, as parents and safe adults, of th...

  Read more...
• December 20-21 || Check Christmas presents for button batteries and other hazards
  Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Wednesday, 17 December 2025

  Many parents will be spending the next few days assembling (and reassembling) their children’s gifts, and it’s important to be on the lookout for potential hazards, including button batteries and small parts. A couple of safety tips include following age guidance and o...

  Read more...
• December 13-14 || Watch out for fire dangers
  Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Wednesday, 10 December 2025

  Christmas is a popular time to decorate with candles and electric lights, both inside and out of the house. These decorations can be beautiful and festive but also come with the risk of fires. Parents should make sure to keep candles out of reach of children, and off s...

  Read more...
• December 6-7 || Red flags in gift giving
  Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Monday, 01 December 2025

  ’Tis the season for giving and receiving gifts, but some gifts are inappropriate for children to receive from adults. Talk to your children about appropriate gift giving – who they should give presents to and who they do not need to give to. Discuss when they should ac...

  Read more...
• November 29-30 || Facts about community grooming
  Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Tuesday, 25 November 2025

  There is a third type of grooming: community grooming. In community grooming, a predator creates a controlled environment, projecting an image of a responsible, caring adult. They mimic the behavior of good people around them, to get closer to children and then select ...

  Read more...
• November 22-23 || Facts about psychological grooming
  Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Wednesday, 19 November 2025

  A few weeks ago, we looked at physical grooming and how predators use it to lure victims. Another type of grooming is psychological, in which a predator spends a great deal of time with his or her victim, showering them with attention and making the victim feel a share...

  Read more...
• November 15-16 || Stand Up Sunday recognizes those who have completed VIRTUS® Training
  Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Tuesday, 11 November 2025

  This weekend, in solidarity with those who have been harmed, and as a visible demonstration of our ongoing commitment to the prevention of child sexual abuse, parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles are dedicating a Mass and offering prayers in support of th...

  Read more...
• November 8-9 || Sorting fact vs. fiction on abductions
  Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Tuesday, 04 November 2025

  During the holidays, many people travel to see family. It’s important to be prepared for any dangers of traveling, including human trafficking — and to know the facts about abductions and trafficking. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children ...

  Read more...
• November 1-2 || Facts about physical grooming
  Safeguard the Children: Did You know Created on Wednesday, 29 October 2025

  The term “grooming” refers to the way in which a predator tries to mold and set up his victims and their families, in order to gain access to a child and cause harm, all while appearing innocent. The first of the three types of grooming is physical, and it involves tou...

  Read more...

 

Reporting Abuse

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

 

Volunteer

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.