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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 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). There is a Safeguard the Children (STC) Committee in each parish which helps to implement the objectives of the USCCB “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.” To learn more about the Virtus program, see www.virtus.org.
You may make a report of suspected sexual misconduct at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ sexual misconduct reporting line: 1-800-355-2545.
This toll-free telephone number has been established as part of our effort to protect children, young people and other vulnerable people in our schools, parishes and ministries. This line is for reporting suspected sexual misconduct or child abuse within our institutions and ministries only. If you have some other type of complaint, please call the appropriate Archdiocesan school, parish or office directly.
Unless your call involves a report of suspected sexual misconduct, it will receive no action by leaving a message on the hotline.
If you wish to make a report of “child abuse” but it does not involve suspected misconduct by one of our Archdiocesan or parish/parish school ministers, employees or volunteers, please make your report to the appropriate child protection agency. You can call your local police department or the “child abuse hotline” number can be found in the front of your phone book.
In accord with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the St. Margaret Mary has developed Policies and Procedures for all volunteers at St. Margaret Mary.
All volunteers must read and agree to follow the “Archdiocese of Los Angeles Guidelines for Adults Interacting With Minors at Parish or School Activities or Events.”
All minors volunteering at St. Margaret Mary must read and agree to follow the “Boundary Guidelines for Junior High and High School Youth Working or Volunteering With Children or Youth.”
All volunteers who work with or around children in any way are required to attend a VIRTUS session, “Protecting God’s Children” adult awareness training session.
Anyone who supervises or is perceived to supervise children in any way is required to submit to a background check in the form of fingerprinting by the Los Angeles Archdiocese. Sign up for free archdiocesan LiveScan fingerprinting or sources for local LiveScan locations. Please contact the parish office for the address of our local LiveScan location.
All St. Margaret Mary and Religious Education students will take part annually in the ”Teaching Touching Safety” or other approved safe environment education program.