CHILD PROTECTION

Office of Victim Assistance & Safe Environment

Office of Victim Assistance & Safe Environment
(OVASE)

OVASE is the primary contact point for anyone who has been abused by clergy or church personnel.  The office provides pastoral care, including individual, group, and spiritual counseling, to anyone who has been abused.  OVASE is also responsible for implementing an abuse prevention program throughout the Archdiocese of San Antonio. 

Please call OVASE if you need assistance reporting abuse, seeking guidance about a situation in a school or parish, need information about reporting laws, need a referral for a service provider, or to discuss any concerns.

Every call is handled personally and confidentially.

Resources:

Parent Handbook: This guide was created to teach parents how to identify child abuse, how to respond to abuse, how to help protect your child and encourage a safe environment. As parents we are the primary educators of children and hope that this booklet will help you to begin a conversation with your child on safety.

Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People: The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops drafted a landmark document in response to the crisis of sexual abuse of children in the Church. The Charter is a comprehensive set of procedures to address allegations of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy.

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