Protecting God's Children (Virtus) SAFE ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM
To update your Virtus Volunteer profile online: Go to https://www.virtusonline.org/virtus/ click on FIRST TIME REGISTRANT. Follow the on screen instructions. Choose Joliet, IL Diocese when asked for your organization/diocese. Create a user name and password.
To register for the Protecting God's Seminar for the First Time: Go to www.virtusonline.org and click on FIRST TIME REGISTRANT. Follow prompts. Choose Joliet, IL Diocese when asked for your organization/diocese. Create a user name and password. After completing the registration process return to your Virtus account home page > open the TOOLBOX tab > on the left side of screen click TRAINING > click to begin the training session. This training must be completed in one sitting. Failure to complete the training will require you to start over from the beginning.
For assistance contact:
helpdesk@virtus.org OR SafeEnvironment@dioceseofjoliet.org
Out of concern for the safety and well-being of children, every diocesan, parish, school or religious education employee or volunteer who is involved with minors on a regular, recurring basis and those who may have an opportunity to be alone with children during parish, school or religious education sponsored events, are required to attend a Virtus Protecting God’s Children program.
Of all the safe environment programs available, Protecting God's Children was selected for the Joliet Diocese. It was determined to be the best possible program primarily because it is comprehensive, professional and appealing.
If you are volunteering in the following capacity, then you must complete this program. The following are examples of volunteer work...but not limited to:
School Lunchroom Volunteers
School field trip volunteers
Schoolclassroom party volunteers
school learning center volunteers
library volunteers
Religious education catechists/teachers aides
Youth Ministry Leaders
Youth Ministry Retreat volunteers
Quest & Kairos Adult Leaders
Camp MOSH or Mini MOSH leaders working with youth
For further information, please contact Sherry Denault at (815) 933-8285 ext. 312 or email sdenault@mbvm.org
Reporting Sexual Abuse
Anyone with reason to believe that a child has been abused or is being abused should report their suspicions to civil authorities. Contact: Illinois Department of Children and Family Services at 1-800-25ABUSE (1-800-252-2873) or the local authorities.
The Diocese of Joliet Victim Assistance Coordinator is available to help victims/survivors of child sexual abuse by a cleric, employee or volunteer of the Catholic Church. The Victim Assistance Coordinator will report to Bishop Hicks and coordinate efforts of pastoral support and outreach to assist in the healing process. The Victim Assistance Coordinator can also assist in making a report to civil authorities. Contact the Victim Assistance Coordinator at 815-263-6467.