As children head back to school, parents should make every effort to meet the people their children will come in contact with — from their classroom teachers to those who teach the special subjects like art, music, or other extracurriculars. Make the effort to have a f...
According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, there are a few significant ways that children go missing. Nearly half of all families with autistic children have reported that their children wander and have gone missing. Other ways include abduction...
Underage drinking can certainly get your teen into a lot of trouble — loss of driving privileges, fines, and even criminal charges. But underage drinking can also cause significant brain damage. An adolescent’s brain does not fully develop until the age of 25. Early al...
As temperatures heat up this summer, it is critical for parents to remember to take children out of the car every time they park and turn off the engine. Leaving a child alone in a car can lead to serious injury or death. This is especially true in hot weather: a car c...
Knowing the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships can help prevent human trafficking. Healthy relationships are based on respect, honesty, and trust. In these relationships, partners communicate and help hold healthy, safe boundaries. In unhealthy rela...
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that smoke alarms be installed on every level of the home, inside every bedroom, and outside every sleeping area. Keep alarms away from drafts caused by fans or air ducts, as this could blow smoke away from the...
Preparing your children for a situation where they might get lost or separated from you can help resolve a scary situation more quickly. Talk to your children about what to do if they ever get lost in a crowd. First, tell them to stay where they are. Teach them how to ...
Choosing a babysitter for your children is hard, and the prevalence of substance use and abuse makes it even harder. When parents are screening potential babysitters, it is important to check for any warning signs of drug or alcohol use. You may want to seek out refere...
A predator often works within a culture of silence to isolate and abuse children. When parents and other trusted adults fail to see the warning signs of abuse, silence can cause deep harm to young victims. Sometimes, an adult who is willing to simply listen without jud...
Preventing child abuse is the work of our entire community. The best way to start taking up your part of this work is through learning the five steps for preventing child sexual abuse. Learn where child abuse happens, and how to recognize the signs of abuse and predato...
Bike riding is great fun and a good form of exercise for children — it is also great way to get around. A properly fitted helmet can reduce the risk of a head injury by almost 50%, but many children go without them. Teach your children the importance of helmet safety a...
Heading to a family amusement park this summer? Prepare your family with some easy safety tips. Amusement parks are crowded and exciting — and unfortunately, they can also be the perfect scenario for children to get distracted and separated from the family. Before you ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...