Rose McAvoy

At St. John the Baptist and throughout the Archdiocese of Seattle, we believe every child deserves a safe, nurturing environment where they can flourish in faith and life. As a Church family, we are called to be vigilant protectors of the most vulnerable among us, ensuring their dignity, safety, and well-being.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month—a time for deep reflection, increased awareness, and intentional action. Archbishop Paul D. Etienne encourages each of us to take this month to educate ourselves and our communities on how we can prevent abuse and support healing for those who have been impacted by its devastating effects.

This month—and every month—we recommit ourselves to:

• Praying for healing and hope for survivors of abuse.
• Learning about the safeguards in place to protect our children and youth.
• Acting with compassion, courage, and vigilance to create safe spaces in our homes, schools, parishes, and online.

The Archdiocese of Seattle has a longstanding commitment to transparency, accountability, and assistance to victims of abuse. Our Safe Environment Program sets rigorous standards to ensure that all Church ministries, programs, and volunteers uphold these values with the utmost care.

You can learn more here: 👉 Archdiocese Safe Environment Standards
👉 Archdiocese Commitment to Transparency & Helping Victims

Keeping Children and Teens Safe Online

Technology can be a wonderful tool for connection, learning, and faith formation. But just like you wouldn’t hand over car keys to a teen without teaching them to drive, we must guide our children in navigating the digital world safely.

The internet can expose children and teens to unsafe and inappropriate content. It’s our responsibility—as parents, guardians, and a parish community—to help them develop healthy habits and boundaries online.

• Practical steps include:
  Talk openly with children about internet safety.
• Set clear guidelines for device use.
• Monitor online activity in age-appropriate ways.
• Encourage them to speak up if they see or experience anything that makes them uncomfortable.

For more resources and information on keeping kids safe online, visit the Archdiocese’s Safe Environment page.