National Child Abuse Prevention Month

The Diocese of Baton Rouge employed a three-tier approach during National Child Abuse Prevention Month, which took place in April.

A stunning rosary video featuring six different languages was the capstone of the month, which also featured students planting pinwheel gardens and Bishop Michael G. Duca requesting priests to offer prayer intentions for victims of sexual abuse and the many individuals working in health care, law enforcement and victim advocacy.

“The month of April is a special time when we join others in our community and across the nation to raise awareness about the sin of sexual abuse,” Bishop Duca said in the rosary video. “I ask that you take a moment to join your prayers with ours and (pray) the healing rosary as we pray for the victims of sexual violence and the countless individuals working in health care, law enforcement and victim services.”

The bishop also asked individuals to trust in the Lord as the community strives to heal those who have been harmed.

“(Child abuse) is not just a Catholic Church problem; it is happening in the community we live in,” said Amy Cordon, director of the diocesan Office of Child Protection and Victim Assistance. “People must be aware this is happening. We must all fight it together to protect the children at risk, the vulnerable and those who are marginalized in our local communities.”

She said the diocese partners with other individuals and programs in the community to raise awareness against sexual violence of all kind, especially human trafficking. 

“We are asking the community to pray with us for the victims, law enforcement officials and advocates,” she said. 

Called “A Rosary for Healing and Protection,” Cordon said the rosary features prayers in English, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Spanish, Korean and Ibo. Reflections on the mysteries were authored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and prayed by three soon-to-be-ordained priests.

People from an array of professions prayed each decade.

“As in the Catholic Church, everything begins and ends with prayer,” she said. “In making the rosary, it was our intention to specifically pray for those who are too angry and hurt to pray for themselves at this point.

“(The languages) make is special, so symbolic. It is truly a multi-cultural rosary.”

Five schools participated in the planting of pinwheel gardens, including Holy Family in Port Allen. St. Peter Chanel in Lutcher, Mater Dolorosa in Independence, St. Francis Xavier in Baton Rouge and St. Theresa of Avila in Gonzales.

Although April is the dedicated month to raise awareness of child abuse, Cordon said the focus must be year-round, with part of the effort focused on cultural influences. She said internet safety is a concern but added sexual predators are always refining ways to traffic children and vulnerable adults.

Cordon noted law enforcements are diligent in attempting to stay ahead of traffickers and that everyone must be committed to finding a solution that addresses the specific challenges of their own local communities.

“When considering the evils that we are up against, and the lasting effects of sexual abuse, we have to stay focused,” Cordon said. “It affects the families, future families and for generations. 

“We cannot become complacent.”

“Prayer changes things, because it changes us and others who are praying with us,” she added. 

The rosary, which was produced by Catholic Life TV, is available at diobr.org/rosary-for-healing.