While a primary focus of those in ministry is on protecting children from harm, protecting vulnerable adults is just as important. This includes adults living with mental, emotional, or physical disabilities, adults who have court-appointed guardians, elderly adults in vulnerable positions, and anyone else who may be unable to consent to or understand what is happening to them. Every year, nearly 500,000 reports of abuse against vulnerable adults are made to the Adult Protection Service, and even more go undetected. The same steps and processes outlined for protecting children can help vulnerable adults as well — know the warning signs, screen all employees and caregivers, and monitor environments for safe practices. For more information, read the VIRTUS® article “Protecting Vulnerable Adults” at lacatholics.org/did-you-know.

Read the VIRTUS® article “Protecting Vulnerable Adults” here.