Awareness during this month highlights the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect through education and community awareness. Through prevention and awareness training, we aim to reduce the opportunities for child abuse and to strengthen families in our community.

Child sexual abuse is a widespread society problem, not just a Catholic clergy problem. In 2002, the USCCB established a code of conduct to both address the widespread abuse that affected the Catholic church, and to learn from the lessons of the past to ensure future generations will not suffer the same fate. They developed a Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People which is the minimum guidelines for training both adults and children to prevent child sexual abuse.

In the Diocese of Reno, we are committed to building on the standards set by the Charter and ensuring that we are protecting our vulnerable population and maintain a safe environment. Our criteria to train all volunteers and employees demonstrates our commitment to protecting our youth and vulnerable adults. This is not because the Church thinks all adults are the problem. It is because the solution to preventing child sexual abuse depends on caring adults knowing what to look for and how to respond to suspected abuse.

During National Child Abuse Prevention Month, we pray for continued healing for the lives of all who are affected or indirectly affected by abuse. 

More Information and Questions

If you have any questions, please contact Tracey Collamer, Diocesan Director for Safe Environment at traceyc@catholicreno.org or call (775) 326-9445