Our Safeguarding program stands on three legs:
Expectations for behavior & reporting, in the form of a Code of Conduct and Reporting Process
Training to prevent abuse by helping participants become more aware of the risks.
Background checks. Our Privacy Statement explains what will and will not be asked.
Training and background checks are usually not required for volunteers who don't have contact with the people we serve. Everyone is expected to be familiar with and follow the expectations for behavior and reporting.
Our training program is provided by the well-respected company VIRTUS. VIRTUS offers many types of safe environment programs for adult and children. In the Archdiocese of Seattle, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is requiring two trainings:
The widely utilized Protecting God's Children®, which addresses child sexual abuse, the methods and means by which abusers commit abuse, and five steps to prevent abuse from occurring and stop it from continuing.
Vulnerable Adult Training 2.0, which addresses the varied types of abuse surrounding vulnerable adults, including the vulnerability of persons living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Any content that addresses child sexual abuse can be disturbing and challenging to experience for anyone, but especially for victim-survivors of child sexual abuse. With this in mind, we are providing two alternatives to Protecting God's Children® for victim-survivors:
Watch Protecting God's Children® one-on-one with a Safeguarding administrator rather than by yourself or in a large group.
Watch an alternative training in VIRTUS called Healthy Boundaries for Adults, which does not include testimony from abusers or victim-survivors.
Those who would like more information about the training or the alternative options are welcome to contact either your local Safeguarding coordinator or the SVDP Archdiocesan Safeguarding Coordinator. Either way, your call will be treated as confidential.
We recognize that providing options is important so that a personal choice can be made. Our goal is to create safer environments for everyone.
For more information regarding resources or referrals for support services for victims of sexual assault contact the Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs to locate a resource center in your area.