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By Grace Tibbetts
This May marks my one year anniversary of serving the diocese as the Safe Environment coordinator. In these short months, I have been delighted to discover that most individuals in our diocese understand the “why” behind the diocesan Safe Environment program. Yet, compliance with these requirements can still feel so burdensome. I understand that more than you know. However, in learning more about my role and diving into many resources to further educate myself in this field, I came across an interview with Bishop Timothy Doherty, the chair of the Committee on the Protection and Care of Young People (CPCYP), that inspired my own thoughts on the “why” behind Safe Environment compliance. Allow me to elaborate.
Child abuse is a pandemic in our world today. Even when we see downward trends in the number of cases, until that number is zero, we still have a problem. We have a responsibility to do everything we can to ensure safety, security and protection for our youth, and we have a duty to be aware of all of the horrors of abuse and the reality of what our young people face today.
It is estimated that in the U.S. one in four girls and one in 13 boys experience child abuse. One billion children globally are estimated to experience sexual violence. The trauma of child abuse has lasting effects on our young people, causing them to lose their sense of trust and harming their relationships with others.
Left untreated, the trauma of child abuse can lead to mental health problems, behavioral changes and even physical health problems. This impacts our communities in enormous ways. This is our “why.” The children are our why. Afterall, children are the future of our society.
We have the burden of “doing one more thing” or “adding one more thing to our list” when it comes to annual Safe Environment training, but instead of seeing it as burdensome, stop for a moment and think of the statistics I cited above. Think of your own children, their friends, their classmates, the children in your neighborhood. Allow this to change your mindset and do this small extra task for them, knowing that when we educate ourselves and keep this issue at the forefront of our minds, we are better able to be good observers and protectors for our vulnerable young people.
Each and every person is uniquely created in God’s image and likeness. When we comply with Safe Environment requirements, we are actively committing to honor and protect those we love and ourselves—honoring the dignity and identity we have as God’s children. There will always be sin and evil in the world, but through our efforts, we are forming and empowering ourselves and our children. Isn’t that alone worth burdening ourselves with these extra “steps” to do our best to ensure a healthy and safe environment?
April is Child Abuse Awareness Month. Please join me in praying in a special way this month for all those who have suffered abuse, all those who care for them, and for an end to this evil in the world. May those suffering find healing; those in pain, relief; those lonely, comfort; those afraid, peace and security; and those who feel like no one cares, may they meet the Lord through each of us and experience the love he has for them.
