All children are bound to experience difficult events as they grow up. When complex situations arise before children develop the ability to fully articulate their emotions, books can help them feel more at ease with feelings of anger, frustration, and sadness. While a ...
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has established a Wildfire Victims Emergency Relief Fund to provide financial assistance to help victims of the fires with food, clothing, and other needs. With so much devastation and suffering there is tremendous need for aid, not only ...
Since the Missing Children hotline (1-800-THE-LOST) launched 40 years ago, countless children have been safely found and brought home. The hotline has received over 5 million calls in the last 40 years. During national emergencies and disasters, the National Center for...
Being a safe adult is more than just taking some classes on abuse prevention and filling in the right answers. Adults who model healthy behaviors are a strong example for children, helping them distinguish safe from unsafe adults. Basic actions, like wearing a seatbelt...
A bipartisan bill passed last year is helping internet platforms protect children from abuse and enticement in their online interactions. The REPORT Act, passed in May 2024, requires U.S.-based online platforms to report child sex trafficking and online enticement to t...
Nearly 1 in 4 U.S. adults report living with some kind of disability, ranging from physical limitations to diminished mental capabilities. Misunderstandings and misconceptions about a person’s individual disabilities can put that person at risk for abuse. By adopting p...
About 100 children per year are abducted by strangers in the U.S. The reality is that most children are abducted by people they already know, a reality that is also true of almost every form of child victimization. Statistics show that the most common way a child goes ...
’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...
A critical boundary to learn for yourself and for your children is the word “no.” Saying “no” to something you are uncomfortable with, or that you know is wrong, is sometimes the hardest thing to do, but it is so important. “No” is a complete sentence and should be hon...
Communities thrive with appropriate boundaries in place. Without them, everyone is left vulnerable, especially children, in an “anything goes” culture. As safe adults, we can empower children by defining and strengthening our own boundaries. Children learn by watching ...
Artificial intelligence, or AI, has opened the door to generating incredibly realistic images. Often called “deepfakes,” we have seen these images crop up on social media. In January 2024, explicit images of Taylor Swift, created by AI, were posted online, and viewed o...
Many child abusers maintain a “collection” of pornographic materials, including images, either real or fake, of their victims or intended victims. Abusers will often manipulate these images for their own purposes — for example, cropping or editing a photo or a video in...
What are some practical ways we can interact with others that are trauma-informed? We can be mindful of what we talk about and how, recognizing that certain topics can trigger a trauma memory. We can also take those topics seriously, refusing to participate in jokes or...
Children, by nature, give and seek physical affection — hugs, pats on the arm or leg, even kisses. It is the responsibility of adults to know what is and is not appropriate when it comes to responding to this need for physical affection. One tip to consider is the acro...
A child who has experienced sexual abuse may exhibit one or many of these common behaviors: sleeping troubles, including nightmares, fear, withdrawal from family and friends, anger, anxiety, or depression. Children who have been abused may speak or behave in a manner t...
Halloween is one of the most exciting nights of the year for children, but it can be a nerve-wracking night for the parents who have to run the show. Consider a few safety tips to get your family ready for trick-or-treating. Choose bright colored costumes and give your...
What can be done if a person is taking pictures of a minor in a public place? Although it is legal that a person can take pictures or videos in a public place, there are sometimes extenuating circumstances that require adults to pay more attention. Is the person taking...
Adults have a responsibility to live out the Christian message — to love one another and to do God’s will. We also have a responsibility to help children learn how to live this way. Consider your role in protecting children by showing them how to be a witness to the Fa...
Personal boundaries are critical for every relationship and interaction we have in ministry or volunteer work. We set boundaries to protect ourselves and the people with whom we are interacting. As an employee or volunteer in ministry, you have an inherent, perceived p...
When you are with your children in a crowded shopping area — think mall, grocery store, farmer’s market — it is important to have a plan of action to keep your group together and your children safe. Keep children as close as possible, ideally either in a cart or holdin...