YOUTH AND PERSONAL SAFETY

St. Catherine’s Youth Department

Diocese of St. Augustine

 

Our Dignity as Children of God

Every human person is created in the image of God.  This amazing dignity bestowed on the human race was raised even higher when God became man and died out of love for the salvation of every person.  Because of the dignity which we were created, and the love by which we were redeemed on the cross, all people deserve to be revered and treated with dignity.  We have an obligation to uphold the dignity of ourselves and of one another, especially the most helpless among us (children both before and after birth, the sick, the poor, and the elderly).

 

The Cardinal Virtues

The Cardinal Virtues are the virtues of Prudence, Justice, Temperance, and Fortitude.  The word Cardinal comes from the Latin word cardine, which means hinge.  They are called the “hinge” virtues because every other natural virtue (not the Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity) is based upon and grows from the Cardinal Virtues.

•    Prudence – discovering our true good and choosing the right means of achieving it.

•    Fortitude/Courage – firmness in the pursuit of the good.

•    Justice – giving the proper due to God and neighbor.

•    Temperance – moderating the attraction of the pleasures of the senses.

 

The Virtue of Chastity

The virtue of chastity grows from the virtue of temperance.  “Chastity is the spiritual power which frees love from selfishness and aggression” and is needed due to the effects of original sin (Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality 16).  In developing the virtue of chastity through a proper understanding of the dignity of each person and through effort and practice, we look upon a person and treat him/her with respect and dignity rather than as an object for sexual pleasure (lust).  Chastity is a life-long process of self-mastery involving training in modes behavior, protection of the senses, fidelity to prayer, reception of the sacraments and wise guidance.  In youths and unmarried adults, it involves a firm commitment to avoid situations that are likely to inflame sexual desire.  Purity in thought, word and deed is essential for chastity.  The sacred gift of marital union is to be reserved for spouses in the Sacrament of Marriage.  Until the point of committing themselves totally to one other before God, any pre-marital sexual activity amounts to using the other person for personal gratification and pleasure.  Therefore, these sins against purity and chastity are not expressions of genuine love, even if they “feel” loving.  The usual consequences of sins against chastity include guilt, loss of innocence, greater selfishness, damage to a future marriage, risk of disease, pregnancy outside of marriage, rift in relationship with parents, depression and, most importantly, loss of our relationship with and love for God, cf. CCC2337-2351, 2514-2533.  God has given us a plan for authentic love and chastity that guards against using other persons and that protects marriage, family and the dignity of the human person.

 

Vice

“A vice is a bad moral habit.  Technically a vice is the strong tendency to a gravely sinful act acquired through frequent repetition of the same act.  Qualities that characterize a vice are spontaneity, ease, and satisfaction in doing what is morally wrong” (Modern Catholic Dictionary, John A. Hardon, S.J., pg. 561).

While virtue forms a person, vice “de-forms” a person.  Students should write down the definition of vice from the glossary of the CCC.  Spiritual direction and counseling are essential for abandoning some vices.  A total and permanent separation from the near occasion of sin is necessary for someone who has struggled with a vice that can significantly damage his/her life.

 

Avoiding Potential Danger

 

Avoiding potential danger means that we must be careful to avoid situations that could make us vulnerable to harm.

•        Use the “2 by 2” principle – when with an adult or even out with people your own age (including “dates”), always be with a friend on whom you can depend.

•        Make sure your parents know of any regular meetings or correspondence (email, etc.) with an adult.

•        Talk to your parents.  Let them know where you are at all times.

•        Avoid drugs and alcohol.  You are never less safe than when you are intoxicated.  Avoid others who are intoxicated.  Even people you know well cannot be trusted in that state.

•        Dress modestly.

•        When you are with someone, whether someone your age or an adult, other people should be able to easily see you.

•        Under no circumstances should a person who has abused a child be working with young people.

If you know of someone who has abused, they should not be near you.

 

 

Students are to be taught that they should avoid those adults who would seek to do the following.

•       Discourage other adults from participating or monitoring youth activities.

•       Always want to be alone with young people.

•       Are more excited to be with young people than adults.

•       Give gifts to children or young people, often without permission.

•       Who seeks contact that is not respectful of a young person’s comfort zone (example: unwanted hugs)

•       Always wants to wrestle or tickle.

•       Think the rules do not apply to them.

•       Allow young people to engage in activities their parents would not allow.

•       Use bad language or tell inappropriate jokes and stories.

•       Show pornography.

 

Communicating Your Concerns

 

Communicating your concerns means telling someone in authority when you are uncomfortable with a situation or a person, and most especially if you have been abused or you suspect that someone else may have been abused.  Pay attention to your own intuitions/feelings.  Even if abuse is not occurring, it is still important to let others know when you have concerns.  Only by communicating concerns can we use our knowledge to create a safe environment.  Remember the following:

 

 

•      If you are worried that a friend is being/has been abused tell someone in authority.  Be a true friend even at the risk of upsetting him/her by “overreacting”.

•      If you have sought help from someone in authority and that person does not take action, tell another person in authority.

•      If you have been abused, it is not your fault, even if you have not followed the steps listed above to avoiding potential danger.  Do not fear being blamed.  You will not be.

•      There is a network of help at home, in friends, at school, in the Church, and in various other organizations.  There is always someone to turn to no matter who has victimized you or someone you know.  Specifically:

–       Always talk to you parents about your concerns.

–       Notify a church official, principal and/or

–       Call you county’s Child Protective Services hotline, the County Prosecutor and/or the Diocese of St. Augustine victim assistance person and/or

–       Do not hesitate to call the police.

 

What is the biggest myth surrounding this issue?

 

The biggest myth is dangers to children come from strangers.  In the majority of cases the perpetrators are people the parents/guardians or children know, and these people may be in a position of trust or responsibility to a child and family.

 

Reporting Allegations of Sexual Misconduct

•        The Diocese of Saint Augustine treats all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously and deals with them in a prompt, confidential and thorough manner. Keep in Mind:

•        • Every person has the right to be treated with the dignity befitting a child of God.

•        • Every person has the right to have appropriate boundaries respected.

•        • Every person has the right to challenge any comment or behavior that is perceived to be sexually oriented.

 

Allegations and complaints can be made by contacting:

 

•        Judy Pinson – Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator
Catholic Center
11625 Old St. Augustine Road
Jacksonville, FL 32258
(904) 262-3200, ext. 129
1-800-775-4659, ext. 129

 

 

Allegations may also be reported directly to the Department of Children and Families:

 

1-800-96Abuse
1-800-962-2873