{"id":3236,"date":"2024-09-30T02:51:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-30T02:51:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goodshepherdsisters.info\/?p=3236"},"modified":"2024-12-24T02:52:54","modified_gmt":"2024-12-24T02:52:54","slug":"safeguarding-building-a-culture-of-safety-and-protection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goodshepherdsisters.info\/index.php\/2024\/09\/30\/safeguarding-building-a-culture-of-safety-and-protection\/","title":{"rendered":"SAFEGUARDING: Building a culture of safety and protection"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Congregational Statement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 31st Congregational Chapter Directions and our vision of a just<\/em> world where no child, woman or person is exploited or left behind<\/em> impels us to take up this Safeguarding Policy seriously and to work<\/em> 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\u2019s human rights. It is an aspiration<\/em> 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. \u2013 Sr. Joan Marie Lopez, Congregational Leader<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Province Statement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/em>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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mandate<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/em>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. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This policy extends to all within the Congregation\u2019s 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<\/em> from any abuse. It specifically recognizes the power imbalances that can exist due<\/em> to the nature of our living together and our ministry service, and how these can create opportunities for abuse to occur<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Update <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

for Standard 1: Creating and Maintaining Safe Environment<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n