Congregational Statement
The 31st Congregational Chapter Directions and our vision of a just world where no child, woman or person is exploited or left behind impels us to take up this Safeguarding Policy seriously and to work together at making it a reality. Our task is to be faithful to live by the deeper aspiration of this Policy which honors every person’s human rights. It is an aspiration where our life, actions and service embody a safe, inclusive, caring and reconciling experience for those we engage with and to whom we minister. This involves committing ourselves to make our environments free from hurt, harm and trauma and instead to create spaces of welcome, safety and healing for all. – Sr. Joan Marie Lopez, Congregational Leader
Province Statement
Upholding the dignity of persons and committing ourselves to the care and protection of women and children are at the core of who we are and what we do as Good Shepherd partners in mission. However, this does not automatically exclude the possibility that we are also capable of harming those in our care. While we are moved with compassion at the sufferings some of them have endured, we are also brought face to face with our humanness and personal limitations in our ministries. We are safeguarding the children and vulnerable persons against anyone who might harm them and that includes ourselves.
Mandate
This policy is a current expression of a centuries-long commitment by Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd to a mission of mercy and reconciliation, specifically directed to women and girls but inclusive of all who are denied the benefits of their inherent God-given dignity and rights. Although we particularly cherish the girl child and women, we assume a responsibility for all children and person/s in vulnerable situation/s, to ensure their safety and protection from any intentional or unintentional maltreatment or abuse.
This policy extends to all within the Congregation’s care and concern in any type of ministry and within our communities – short term or long term. It sets out a commitment to keeping all within our communities and ministries safe from any abuse. It specifically recognizes the power imbalances that can exist due to the nature of our living together and our ministry service, and how these can create opportunities for abuse to occur.
Update
Trainings and orientation sessions were conducted for the SG contact persons of each convent and ministries to ensure proper understanding of the Policy that gives direction in the living out of a culture of safeguarding. Below are some of the trainings and sessions given:
for Standard 1: Creating and Maintaining Safe Environment
- To be able to accomplish this standard, new SG posters were given out for posting and orientation sessions and signing of the Code of Conduct for Contact Persons were also given on September 16, 2024. Furthermore, our communities and ministries such as NCR, Calabarzon, SBS, and Bicol did their updated risk assessment. Some online sessions such as Trauma Iinformed Care, Philippine Laws on Women, Positive Discipline, Conversations on Good Practices of Recruitment and Selections, and the Framework of Criminal Case Filing were also organized to help achieve Standard 1.
for Standard 2: Responding to concerns, suspicions and allegations of abuse
- To be able to carry out standard 2, the SG team had their quarterly meeting and took time to participate in the Community of Practice session with Ms. Arlene Manoharan. Consultation meetings with the Congregational SG advisor were helpful for the team.
