A St. Theresa student gets help in planting his pinwheel on March 31.
By Kristin Leandro
Special to the Herald
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. First established by presidential proclamation in 1983, it is an opportunity to acknowledge the importance of families and communities coming together to prevent child abuse and neglect, as well as promote the emotional and social well-being of families.
On March 31, the students at St. Theresa School on Oahu participated in a pinwheel planting ceremony in recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. In 2008, the national nonprofit organization Prevent Child Abuse America introduced the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign. Since that time, the blue pinwheel has become the national public awareness symbol for child abuse prevention. It is a tangible reminder that all children deserve a healthy and happy childhood, free of abuse and neglect.
The Diocese of Honolulu is committed to creating and maintaining the safest environment possible for our youth when they are in our care. Our Safe Environment policies, governed by the mandates of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ “Charter for the Protection of Children and Youth,” guide our ongoing Safe Environment efforts by:
Outlining an effective response to allegations of sex abuse of minors by clergy, religious and lay employees, volunteers and independent contractors
Calling for more effective screening of individuals entering service in the church
Requiring education for adults whose duties include contact with minors or who are in a position of trust in the church
Many thanks to all of you who generously give of your time to work with our youth and God bless all of you for your efforts to ensure that every child is given the opportunity to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment.
To learn more about the Diocese of Honolulu’s safe environment efforts, contact Kristin Leandro, Diocesan Director of Safe Environment, at 808-203-6719 or kleandro@rcchawaii.org.