Keeping Our Children Safe

St. James Vicariate for Hebrew-speaking Catholics in Israel, in strengthening its mechanisms for the protection of children and youth we work with, has developed a Child Safeguarding Policy to minimize the risk of harm to children and youth who are members of our communities, participants in our holiday camps or in care at our day care centers. The Policy Paper comprises rules about our work with children and youth and can be accessed HERE.

In furtherance of this Policy, St. James Vicariate has adopted procedures to promote prevention of child abuse, striving through awareness, good practice and training, to minimize the risks to children and take positive steps to help protect children and youth who are the subject of any concern.

During workshops in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Haifa the staff and volunteers of St. James Vicariate not only got informed about the content of the Policy Paper and its implementation but also got the opportunity to discuss different points and their role in everyday situations. A great reflection process was initiated during these exchanges.

The importance for everyone to guard the babies, children and youth entrusted to us, in the best and safest way became clear in each workshop and unites us in our work.