Virtus Training

Independent auditors from the USCCB have found the Archdiocese of Newark fully compliant with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in every year since audits began in 2003.

You can help

You can help prevent the abuse of children. Know the warning signs of offenders. They prefer to be with children. They go overboard touching, wrestling, or tickling. They may give minors alcohol or drugs or show them pornography. They allow children to break the rules. Offenders act as if the rules do not apply to them. If you observe an adult who is not behaving appropriately with children, speak up. Let someone know what you saw. You are not accusing anyone of anything. You are letting someone know you care, are watching, and are concerned that no harm is done to a child.

You can get help

Abuse is never the fault of the person harmed. It is always the responsibility of the offender. The reality is that most victims of abuse know their abuser. One in four females and one in six males report being abused as a minor. If you or someone you know is a victim of abuse there are things you can do, even if the abuse happened years ago. Call the police to report the abuse. If the abuser was in a position of authority in an organization, you should also report the abuse to that organization.

Still bringing value, and helping to keep children safe

You can help

You can help prevent the abuse of children. Know the warning signs of offenders. They prefer to be with children. They go overboard touching, wrestling, or tickling. They may give minors alcohol or drugs, or show them pornography. They allow children to break the rules. Offenders act as if the rules do not apply to them. If you observe an adult who is not behaving appropriately with children, speak up. Let someone know what you saw. You are not accusing anyone of anything. You are letting someone know you care, are watching, and are concerned that no harm is done to a child.

You can get help

Abuse is never the fault of the person harmed. It is always the responsibility of the offender. The reality is that most victims of abuse know their abuser. One in four females and one in six males report being abused as a minor. If you or someone you know is a victim of abuse there are things you can do, even if the abuse happened years ago. Call the police to report the abuse. If the abuser was in a position of authority in an organization, you should also report the abuse to that organization.

Empowering God’s Children Workshop Schedule

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Protecting God’s Children Recertification Options

Recertification is done via an online module every five years. This module is completed in the user’s Virtus system.

Users who have forgotten their Virtus username and password can visit virtusonline.org and click on “Need login information?” to retrieve-please do not create a new Virtus account. Users needing additional assistance can contact the Safe Environment team at sect@rcan.org. The schedule of all Protecting God’s Children classes can be accessed by clicking on the link on the right.

Empowering God’s Children Resources

The Virtus Empowering God’s Children program, is being taught to all Catholic School and Faith Formation children.

Overview (English) Overview (Spanish) Teaching Guidelines for Parents (English) Teaching Guidelines for Parents (Spanish) Annual Empowering God’s Children Audit (Due April 15)

“I am very grateful for these classes. Sometimes as we get far away from taking the class our guard can go down when we have to seriously remain calm and vigilant. This is serious in our neighborhoods, our churches, our schools, everywhere…and I already have been sharing with others how they can help protect people from this type of abuse. I wish we did not have to take classes like this….but the reality is in our world today, we must! The video brought me to tears…the man next to me was fighting anger and wanting to ‘hit’ the men who abused children and spoke on the video….we all experienced many things…and we all left better for it.”

— A recent attendee

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