Wear Blue Day – Friday, April 2rd: Caring individuals observe Wear Blue Day to make a visible commitment to preventing child abuse and to show their support for making great childhoods happen nationwide by wearing something blue. The Office of Child Abuse Prevention has designated Friday, April 2, 2021 as a time for faith communities to show their support for Child Abuse Prevention Month by wearing blue. Caring individuals and organizations in Santa Clara County will band together to make a visible commitment to preventing child abuse and help in supporting the call make great childhoods happen nationwide by wearing blue. #DSJWearsBlue

On Friday April 9, 2021 @ 12PM PST, the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection will commemorate Child Abuse Prevention Month through prayer with the Divine Mercy Chaplet with special intentions for victims/survivors of abuse and their families. The Divine Mercy Chaplet will be livestreamed across all USCCB social media platforms: Facebook & Twitter

On Monday April 12, 2021 @ 9AM PST, Most Reverend Adam Parker from the Archdiocese of Baltimore will celebrate Mass with special intentions for victims/survivors of abuse and their families. Mass with Bishop Adam Parker will be Livestreamed across all USCCB social media platforms: Facebook & Twitter

Rosary for Healing and Protection – April 13, 2021 @ 6pm PST: Join Bishop Oscar Cantú as he leads the Diocese of San José in praying the Rosary with special intentions for the healing and protection of those affected by childhood abuse. As we offer our prayers for their healing and the protection of all children, we ask for the intercession of the Holy Family to bless our efforts as we strive to help children around us live the full and abundant life God desires for them. Please join us in lifting up their needs in prayer. Location: St. Joseph Cathedral Basilica | Livestream on DSJ Social Media: Facebook & YouTube

Rosary for Healing and Protection – April 15, 2021 @ 12PM PST: A Rosary will be prayed in the Saint Pope John Paul II National Shrine and will be livestreamed across all USCCB social platforms: Facebook & Twitter. We encourage parishes and schools to turn this into a local event by scheduling a time throughout the month of April to pray the Rosary at your parish or school in support of victims/survivors of abuse. The Rosary for Healing and Protection can be adapted as a virtual event to livestream from parish and school communities. Download the Rosary in English or Spanish.

Blue Sunday – April 25th: Each year, Blue Sunday Abuse Prevention offers a day of prayer on the last Sunday of April.  You can find resources and registration for the Blue Sunday Day of Prayer at bluesunday.org. On April 25, 2021, churches of all faiths are asked to join together in a day of prayer to demonstrate their appreciation to those who help abused or neglected children, and to support children and families who have been affected by abuse.

Pinwheels for Prevention: In 2008, Prevent Child Abuse America introduced the pinwheel as the new national symbol for child abuse prevention. Show your support for our nation’s children and help get your children involved in the movement by making your own pinwheel display or even better, a pinwheel garden! This is a great family activity for parents and children to do at home. Download your Pinwheel Template and Instructions | Pinwheel Coloring Sheet

Create a “blue ribbon tree” at your parish or school, encouraging children and adults to tie a blue ribbon around a specific tree (the trunk and the branches) in honor of child abuse prevention. You could also have each person say a prayer for those who have been abused as they tie on their ribbon. This is a great family activity for parents and children to do at home. History of the Blue Ribbon: In Spring of 1989, a very personal awareness campaign was conducted by a Virginia grandmother, Bonnie Finney, whose 3-year-old grandson had died as a result of abuse. Ms. Finney tied a blue ribbon to the antenna of her car to remember and honor her grandson. She spoke out in her community to alert others of the tragedy of child abuse and the use of the Blue Ribbon has since expanded across the country, embraced by many. Now, the Blue Ribbon is a nationally recognized symbol promoting child abuse awareness. The power of Ms. Finney’s story demonstrates the effect just one concerned citizen can have on raising public awareness and promoting child abuse prevention efforts.

Reminder: Submit Annual Audit Reporting Form after completion of the VIRTUS© Catholic Safe Environment Curriculum for youth trained in diocesan schools and religious education programs by April 30th, 2021. Audit Forms: School Form | Parish Form

• April is Child Abuse Prevention Month – Download: ENGLISH | SPANISH
• A Prayer for Healing Victims of Abuse – Download: BILINGUAL
• Novena for Protection and Healing from Abuse – Download: ENGLISH | SPANISH
• Warning Signs of Abuse in Minors – Download: ENGLISH | SPANISH
• Five Ways to Protect Your Children from Sexual Abuse – Download: ENGLISH | SPANISH
• Keeping Children & Teens Safe Online – Download: ENGLISH | SPANISH
• Ten Tips for Protecting Children and Offering Outreach to Victims/Survivors – Download: ENGLISH | SPANISH
• USCCB Youth Protection Norms – Download: ENGLISH | SPANISH

These 5 Steps to Protecting Children are key factors in preventing child sexual abuse.

• • Step 1: Learn the Facts – If we don’t understand child sexual abuse, we can’t end it. It is highly likely that you know a child who has been or is being abused.
  • Step 2: Minimize Opportunity – Safe environments can help reduce the risk for abuse. More than 80% of sexual abuse cases occur in isolated, one-on-one situations.
  • Step 3: Talk About It – Talking openly breaks down barriers and reduces stigma. By talking openly about our bodies, sex, & boundaries we can encourage children to share.
  • Step 4: Recognize the Signs – Signs of abuse aren’t always obvious, but they are often there. Emotional or behavioral changes are often the most common signs.
  • Step 5: React Responsibly – It’s our responsibility to react appropriately to suspicion, disclosure, or discovery of abuse. Only 4% to 8% of reports of all sexual abuse are false.

Learning the facts is the first step to preventing child sexual abuse.

• • The Magnitude of the Problem – Child sexual abuse is far more prevalent than people realize. Find out how big the problem really is.
  • Signs of Abuse – Do you know what to do if you suspect or discover child sexual abuse? Learn the facts about signs of abuse that will help you identify when to report.
  • Offender Statistics – Those who molest children look and act just like everyone else. Abusers can be neighbors, friends, and family members.
  • Circumstances of Abuse – Child sexual abuse takes place under specific, often surprising circumstances.
  • Risk Factors – While no child is immune, there are child and family characteristics that can heighten the risk of sexual abuse.
  • Consequences of Abuse – Emotional and mental health problems are often the first consequence and sign of child sexual abuse.
  • Facts on Reporting – Only about one-third of child sexual abuse incidents are identified and even fewer are reported – HELP REPORT ABUSE! Please note that this is a general statistic and not based on the diocese’s reporting procedures, which follow State and Federal Mandated Reporter laws.

NetSmartz is NCMEC’s online safety education program. It provides age-appropriate videos and activities to help teach children how to be safer online with the goal of helping children to become more aware of potential online risks and empowering them to help prevent victimization by making safer choices on- and offline. Available in English and Spanish Language: English Language Website | Spanish Language Website

KidSmartz is NCMEC’s child safety program that educates families about interpersonal safety and empowers kids in grades K-5 to practice safer behaviors. This program offers resources to help parents, caregivers, and teachers protect kids by teaching and practicing the four (4) Rules of Personal Safety using tips, printable activities, quizzes, articles, music, videos, and more. Available in English and Spanish Language: English Language Website | Spanish Language Website