Child and Youth Protection Information

Caretaker is any person legally obligated to provide or secure adequate care for a child. This includes parent, guardian, legal custodian, foster parent, employee of public or private day care, or any other person providing a residence for the child. Child is any person under age eighteen (18) who has not been emancipated either judicially or by marriage.

The Louisiana Children's Code, established in 1992, provides definitions of child abuse and neglect and contains laws pertaining to child abuse and neglect reports and investigations. The Louisiana Children's Code can be accessed at www.pcal.org, or at the state library

• The predator begins by spending time building trust with the child.  Once the "friendship" is gained,  the abuser tells the child that he/she would never do anything to harm the child
• The predator breaks down the child's guard against inappropriate touching and sexual conduct
• Threatens on occasion the victim and/or his/her family with harm
• Engages the child in progressive discussions regarding sexual issues
• Seeks out potential victims with family problems, poor peer relationships, estrangement from parents"
• Seeks out potential victims who will keep secrets
• Gains trust of parents and gains access to the family environment
• Invites a potential victim on overnights, gives gifts, or focuses on the interests of potential victims
• Prefers children as social companions rather than adult peers of his/her own age group
• Actions to keep children and young people safe
• Open the lines of communication...keep them open...between you and your children
• Talk with your children and/or other children in your care about predatory lures
• Teach them to tell you about any scary or improper behavior that they encounter with others
• Attend child abuse prevention education sessions offered by the diocese or your parish/school
• Learn all that you can about child sexual abuse.

The Diocese of Lake Charles recognizes the God-given dignity of every human being and condemns all forms of abuse or neglect of people of all ages. In regard specifically to minors, it is the policy of the Diocese of Lake Charles that abuse or neglect of minors is totally reprehensible and intolerable behavior. Any such conduct is to be considered, by its very nature completely contrary to Christian morality and therefore is contrary to the duties and employment of all personnel serving with the Diocese and cannot be justified.
                                                                                                                                                   

Diocesan Policy 703, Article IV:

Any personnel who has actual knowledge of, or who has reasonable cause to suspect that an incident of sexual abuse of a minor has occurred (unless to do so would violate the priest/penitent relationship of the Sacrament of Penance), must follow all applicable laws for reporting and immediately report to the vicar general (see Diocesan Policy 407 below).

Diocesan Policy 704, General Standards, 4:

1.   Take seriously every allegation of suspected abuse and/or unprofessional conduct. Always report any reasonably suspected abuse of a minor to local law enforcement or to the Louisiana Department of Child Protection Services and your chief administrative officer.

In cases of allegations of sexual abuse of minors, after reporting to local law enforcement or to the Louisiana Department of Child Protection Services, immediately report to the vicar general.

    a.      Louisiana Department of Child Protection: 855-452-5437.
    b.      Vicar General: Office Hours, (337) 439-7400; After Office Hours, (337) 436-7223.

www.usccb.org/comm/restoretrust.htm
US Conference of Catholic Bishops provides The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

www.pcal.org
Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana provides a statewide database of reporting and victim services.

www.childlures.org
Child Lures Prevention provides information to assist in creating safe environments for children and youth.

www.dss.state.la.us/dirocs/index.htm
LA Department of Social Services provides statewide listings of Office of Community Service contacts for reporting suspected child abuse.

www.ncmec.org
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children Charles B. Wang International Children's Building 699 Prince Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-3175 703-274-3900 | 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678)

www.missingkids.com
Kidline 1-800 CHILDREN (244 - 5373) provides assistance in understanding and making the report to Office of Community Services. Offers crisis counseling and referrals for victims of child abuse and their families

Parents Anonymous, Inc. 675 W. Foothill Blvd., Suite 220, Claremont, CA 91711 PHONE: (909) 621-6184 FAX: (909) 625-6304 E-MAIL: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: http://www.parentsanonymous.org/

Parents Anonymous encourages all parents to ask for help early to effectively break the cycle of abuse. Parents Anonymous groups meet in local community centers, churches, schools, housing projects, shelters, and prisons. Parents Anonymous also operates local 24-hour hotlines.

Child Protection can be contacted if one is not sure of a suspicion to discuss whether the observed behaviors need professional help. Gather as much pertinent information as possible before phoning, such as the child’s general behavior, physical appearance, and problematic behavior.

 Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office
601 Court Street
P.O. Box 278
Oberlin, LA 70655
337-639-4353

 This information is available in booklet form from the Office of Child and Youth Protection. Please contact Rickard Newman at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or 337-439-7400, Ext. 313 for assistance.