Safeguard the Children is a comprehensive program designed to promote a safe environment for children, youth and vulnerable adults and prevent child sexual abuse. The program was initiated in all dioceses in the United States at the direction of the USCCB.

There is a Safeguard the Children Committee in each parish which helps to implement the objectives of the USCCB in the "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People." The archdiocese has produced a brochure entitled "Working Together" that provides resources on how to prevent abuse and provides information on reporting child abuse. You can find it along with more information about the policies and activities of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in protector our children at https://lacatholics.org/protect/

REQUIREMENTS AT ST. CYPRIAN

Clergy and staff are required to attend a VIRTUS session, "Protecting God's Children" adult awareness training session, attend VIRTUS recertification sessions at least every four years and must submit to a background check in the form of fingerprinting by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Any volunteers that work with children, the elderly or other vulnerable adults are required to attend a VIRTUS session, "Protecting God's Children" adult awareness training session, attend VIRTUS recertification sessions at least every four years and must submit to a background check in the form of fingerprinting by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. You can sign up for free at https://lacatholics.org/fingerprinting/

Religious Education volunteers and students take part annually in the "Empowering God's Children" or others approved safe environment education program.

For a schedule of VIRTUS sessions and fingerprinting at St. Cyprian, please check the latest bulletin or the calendar.

REPORTING CHILD, ELDER, OR VULNERABLE ADULT ABUSE

If you ever come across suspected abuse, we urge you to call the Los Angeles County Child Protection Hotline at (800) 540-4000. The hotline is open 24/7. You DO NOT need to know that child abuse or neglect is taking place, you are welcome to report your suspicions and consult with a social worker if you are not clear whether what you are witnessing or have learned of is abuse. Depending on your profession, you might be a mandatory reporter: someone who is legally obligated to report suspected child abuse and neglect. But if you are not a mandated reporter, you can make your report anonymously.

Priests, deacons, school faculty and administrators and other staff members in our parish and schools have been designated as mandated reporters under California law. When one of these persons receives information leading to a "reasonable suspicion" that a child is being abused or neglected, he or she must make a report to the appropriate child protection or law enforcement agency. For more information on responding to an allegation of suspected child abuse go to: https://lacatholics.org/reporting-child-abuse/

If you are being abused, have been abused or know someone who is being abused and you need assistance in making a report, call Victims Assistance Ministry at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles at (800) 355-2545.

You may also seek help directly by contacting one of the Child Protective Services or one of the Law Enforcement Agencies listed below. In an emergency, call 911.