April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and is a reminder to all Catholics that the ultimate responsibility of an adult is to ensure that abuse does not occur. Therefore, we should always be vigilant and aware. In an effort to promote education and to assist parishes and families in making child safety and abuse prevention a priority, the Diocese of St. Petersburg offers the following resources:

Child Abuse Prevention Resources  (Safe Environment Office)

Child Abuse Prevention Resources (Department of Evangelization, Formation, Youth & Family Life)

Diocese of St. Petersburg Safe Environment Training

Faith and Digital Safety Information

Anti-Pornography Information

Novena for the Protection and Healing from Abuse

Resources from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)

Also, if you ever become aware of sexual abuse, you should always call law enforcement or the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873.

If someone should need assistance because of sexual abuse by Church personnel (clergy, a church employee or volunteer) or a contractor/vendor, they should contact our Victim Assistance Minister, John Lambert, LCSW at (866) 407-4505 or by email: jl@dosp.org.

To learn about resources available from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and their Promise to Protect, Pledge to Heal, click on the following links:

The Charter for the Protection of Young People
Promise to Protect Poster
Promise to Protect Bookmark
Promise to Protect, Pledge to Heal Prayer Card

To learn about how the Church is working to protect children and to learn how you can help prevent child sexual abuse, watch this video.