Protecting God’s Children
VIRTUS: Protecting God’s Children for Adult training seminars are 4-hour training sessions during which employees, volunteers, and other responsible adults in the community can learn how to identify sexual abuse, how to report it when it is seen, and what they can do as members of the community to ensure that it is eradicated.
Sessions are held throughout the year at parishes and schools throughout the diocese and are free of charge to all participants. An email is generated to register for the training once an individual has completed the OPCYP application and it has been approved by the parish or school’s OPCYP liaison. Individuals are required by Diocesan policy to complete the adult safe environment training within 45 days after their application has been approved.
Attendance at a seminar is required for all employees of the diocese and all volunteers who either naturally work with minors or volunteers who have substantial contact with children. No children may attend and childcare will not be provided. For additional information, contact the parish where the session will be held, or check the session’s notes.
Facilitators
Facilitators are individuals trained to provide the VIRTUS: Protecting God’s Children Training to employees and volunteers for completion of the required training under the policy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Training
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Which adults must attend training?
According to the Policy on the Protection of Children/Young People and the Prevention of Sexual Misconduct and/or Child Abuse, all employees of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington – all direct employees of any parish, diocesan school, or diocesan office -regardless of contact with children must attend safe environment training within 45 days of submitting their OPCYP application. Additionally, any volunteer with a ministry that either works with minors or has substantial contact with children must attend this safe environment training. However, training attendance alone is not sufficient for compliance with the policy.
Where and when can I attend a VIRTUS Training session?
Employees and volunteers with substantial contact with children have 45 days from the start of their ministry to attend a training seminar. All other members of the community are welcome and encouraged to participate in training.
Is Safe Environment Training Effective?
The VIRTUS: Protecting God’s Children program instructs and allows individuals to provide a safe environment for children and other vulnerable populations by making it clear that abuse is not tolerated and providing tools to responsible adults to know how to respond to abusive situations and eliminate them from occurring in the first place. This reduces the rate of abusive incidents and decreases their severity when they do occur.
Can I become a VIRTUS Facilitator?
The Office of the Protection of Children/Young People periodically conducts training for new Facilitators. If you are interested in taking on this demanding but fulfilling role, please contact Mr. Alexander Veliz for additional details.
