Virtus Training
All volunteers, along with parish and school staff who volunteer or work with children or youth of the Archdiocese are required to take the class ahead of volunteering or working within the parish. Classes are held at various locations throughout the Archdiocese. Please see the schedule on virtus.org when you register.
Sacred Heart’s Virtus coordinator is Kerry O'Keefe-Owens. If you have questions or if you change roles or change frequency of involvement with children, please contact Kerry at virtus@shoj.org.
What is Virtus?
Protecting God's Children® for Adults is training conducted by VIRTUS® certified facilitators on the prevention of child sexual abuse. The training makes participants aware of the signs of child sexual abuse, the methods and means by which offenders commit abuse, and five easy steps one can use to prevent child sexual abuse. Two videos are the centerpiece of the training: A Time to Protect God's Children™ and A Plan to Protect God's Children™. The facilitators incorporate policies and procedures into the training defining child sexual abuse, addressing the reporting of child sexual abuse, the screening and selection of employees and volunteers, and victim advocacy.”