Campus Wide Safeguarding

ARCHDIOCESE OF MILWAUKEE
SAFEGUARDING ALL OF GOD’S FAMILY
SAFE ENVIRONMENT WEEK - PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, Safe Environment Week is for every parish and school, as well as the entire faith community to focus, at the same time, on the importance of keeping our children and youth safe;
WHEREAS, child abuse and neglect are societal problems whose prevention depend on involvement among people throughout the faith community;
WHEREAS, our children are our most valuable resources and will shape the future of not only the Archdiocese of Milwaukee but also the entire Church;
WHEREAS, the theme for this years’ Safe Environment Week will be “We are all
responsible for creating safe environments.”;
WHEREAS, acknowledging that as a Church we have much work to do to rebuild the
trust that has been broken;
WHEREAS, we acknowledge that as bishops, clergy and church leaders we must work together as a community to increase awareness about child abuse and neglect and work to promote the social and emotional well-being of children, youth and families in a safe, healthy and nurturing environment;
THEREFORE, I, Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki proclaim the week of April 18th – April 24th, 2021 as Safe Environment Week in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. I ask that all participate and acknowledge each other with the love and mercy of God the Father.
Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee

The following links have resources/informational handouts on child abuse prevention during
the month of April and Safe Environment Week. 

10 Tips for Protecting Children & Offering Outreach to Victims/Survivors
English - http://www.usccb.org/about/communications/bishops-resources/
upload/10-tips-bulletin-insert.pdf
Spanish - http://www.usccb.org/about/communications/bishops-resources/
upload/10-tips-bulletin-insert-spanish.pdf

Abuse Warning Signs
English - http://www.usccb.org/about/communications/bishops-resources/
upload/warning-signs-bulletin-insert.pdf
Spanish - http://www.usccb.org/about/communications/bishops-resources/
upload/warning-signs-bulletin-insert-spanish.pdf

Five Ways to Protect Your Children From Abuse
English - http://www.usccb.org/about/communications/bishops-resources/
upload/cyp-five-ways-bulletin-insert-and-foldable-card.pdf
Spanish - http://www.usccb.org/about/communications/bishops-resources/
upload/cyp-five-ways-bulletin-insert-and-foldable-card-spanish.pdf

Keeping Children and Teens Safe Online
English - https://www.usccb.org/about/communications/bishops-resources/
upload/cyp-safe-online-bulletin-insert.pdf
Spanish - https://www.usccb.org/about/communications/bishopsresources/
upload/cyp-safe-online-bulletin-insert-spanish.pdf

USSCB Overview of Safe Environment Efforts
https://cdn.ymaws.com/usccb.site-ym.com/resource/group/1560f0d7-fee7-4affafd2-
4cf076a24943/website_uploads/newsletters/cyp-infographic-fact-sheet.pdf

Did You Know…
Criminal Background Checks are conducted on every priest, deacon, parish director,
employee, and volunteer working with minors in active ministry in parishes and schools in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
Did You Know…
In 2020 in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, over 70 Safe Environment Education Sessions were conducted with over 1,800 adults trained in identifying signs of abuse and neglect, over 3,800 criminal background checks were conducted on clergy, employees, and volunteers, and over 50,000 children were trained in Safe Environment topics.
Did You Know…
All clergy, employees and volunteers are instructed to contact local law enforcement or Child Protective Services immediately if they are made aware of a child being sexually abused. All bishops, priests, deacons lay parish/school staffs, and volunteers are required to follow the mandatory reporting laws of the State of Wisconsin.
Did You Know…
All seminarians in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee undergo criminal background checks, Safe Environment Education training in child abuse prevention, psychological evaluation, classes and workshops on human sexuality, and mandatory reporter training.
Did You Know…
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee has a Victim Assistance Coordinator that has assists survivors of sexual abuse to navigate through the process of reporting abuse and receiving counselling services.The Victim Assistance Coordinator can be reached at (414) 758-2232.
Did You Know…
No priest or deacon with a substantiated allegation of sexual abuse of a minor can or will ever serve as a priest or deacon in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
Did You Know…
In the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, a Diocesan Review Board reviews allegations against clergy involving abuse of a minor and helps hold our diocese accountable.