Saint Mary's Immaculate Conception Parish places a high value on “Safeguarding all of God’s Children.” We work closely with the Archdiocese of Milwaukee to be compliant with all requirements.
Please click herefor an explanation of how to set up an account, which documents to complete, and how to register for a Safe Environment event.
Please contact our safeguarding coordinator with any questions:
Rhonda Prim
262-338-5600 or rprim@wbparishes.org
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 “Protecting our Children starts with working as a Community on Prevention”;
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 21st– April 27th, 2024 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 link contains resources/informational handouts on child abuse prevention during the month of April and Safe Environment Week.
CLICK HERE FOR RESOURCES
Did You Know…
The Safe Environment Program in the Catholic Church is not only making our parishes and schools safe places for our children, youth, and vulnerable adults. We hope that all clergy, employees, and volunteers’ task themselves with protecting the young and vulnerable in their workplaces, neighborhoods, communities, and even their own homes. Our goal is greater than just safe environments within the four walls of our parishes and schools, but safer communities for all God’s children to live, learn and grow.
Did you Know...
In 2023, in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, over 250 Safe Environment Education Sessions were conducted with over 4,400 adults trained in identifying signs of abuse and neglect, over 7,900 criminal background checks were conducted on clergy, employees, and volunteers, and about 40,000 children were trained in Safe Environment topics. Every year in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, each parish and school are required to complete a report documenting their compliance with the Safe Environment Program’s policies and procedures. The Archdiocese of Milwaukee Safe Environment Office uses those reports to compile an archdiocesan report for USCCB audit firm Stonebridge Partners on our archdiocesan compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The Archdiocese of Milwaukee has been found compliant every year since 2004.
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. In Wisconsin, all clergy and all school employees are considered mandatory reporters and can face legal penalties for failing to report suspected or known child abuse or neglect.
Did you Know...
All seminarians and candidates for the Permanent Diaconate in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee undergo criminal background checks, Safe Environment Education training in child abuse prevention, interviews, psychological evaluations, classes and workshops on human sexuality, and mandatory reporter training.
Did you Know...
All clergy, employees, and volunteers are required to meet all of the requirements of safe environment certification. Certification includes participating in training on recognizing signs of abuse and neglect, identifying grooming behaviors, training in maintaining boundaries, and mandatory reporting; reviewing the Code of Ethical Standards and the Social Media and Digital Communication Policy, and undergoing a criminal background check. Certification is required prior to beginning ministry and subsequently every five years.
Did you Know...
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee has a Victim Assistance Coordinator that 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.
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee also has a third-party reporting mechanism for misconduct through Convercent. All mandatory reporting laws in the State of Wisconsin are required to be followed with all reports to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee or Convercent. A report of abuse can also be made through the Advocate Aurora Healing Center or directly reported to the appropriate civil authorities.
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 serves as an instrument to help hold our diocese accountable.