Human trafficking is happening in more places than you would think, and often it passes unnoticed because traffickers are highly skilled. If you see a situation that does not feel right, or you observe something inappropriate or concerning, you could be saving someone’...

Child sexual abuse happens under varied circumstances, and to victims of all ages. But many cases have two things in common: vulnerability and opportunity. Vulnerability can come in the form of physical weakness in comparison to an abuser, or a power imbalance in a rel...

Adults have a responsibility to provide the young people in their care with examples of responsible adult behavior. Small behaviors like following the rules, listening to the children in your life, wearing your seatbelt, looking both ways before crossing the street — t...

News sources hyperfocus on abductions by strangers, generating fear and anxiety that these abductions happen often and everywhere. According to data from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), however, about 100 children per year are abducted by ...

A child with a disability, such as hearing loss, language impairment, learning disabilities, or physical disabilities, is often at increased risk for bullying. Children who struggle to understand social cues or control impulsive physical behaviors are also at increased...

In recognition of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Office of Safeguard the Children has created the 2024 “Keep Kids Safe” Pinwheel Resource Booklet. This useful Resource Booklet will help parishes and schools plan and prepare for Child Abuse Prevention Month....

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...

A child may not be able to verbalize when he or she is being abused, but certain signs may prompt caregivers to take a closer look. Red flag behaviors may include a sudden change in behavior, like a child hating something he previously liked, or changing eating habits....

Children with disabilities are at higher risk for maltreatment and abuse. In many cases, this is because these children may be more vulnerable to grooming or exploitation by a perpetrator, need extra attention and care, which can lead to caregiver burnout and frustrati...

“Sexting” is the sending of sexually explicit messages or images via text. Sexting commonly happens in conversations between teens and tweens, and usually involves nude “selfies.” When these images are shared or distributed on social media platforms like TikTok, Instag...