Paul J. Ashton, D.Min.
Consultant to the VIRTUS® Programs

Then I proclaimed a fast … that we might humble ourselves before our God to petition from Him a safe journey for ourselves, our children and all of our possessions.

— Ezra 8:21[1]

Along with the celebration of Easter, April is also Child Abuse Prevention Month. As “Easter People whose song is Alleluia” (Saint Augustine) there is no better time to celebrate the protection of our most valuable gift from God—our children. Alleluia people are those who live in the fullness of the resurrection drawing all around them to a place of light, wholeness, and the richness of the graces made available to them by the power of the passion and redemption of Jesus.

There is no bargaining with an Alleluia person—they are “all-or-nothing” types of people who demand of themselves and of all those around them the complete message of the gospels and the charge of Jesus to love one another, caring most especially for those who are most vulnerable in our communities. It is most appropriate then that Child Abuse Prevention Month is held during the Easter season.

The origin of child abuse prevention has its roots in the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). In 1866, New York passed the country’s first anti-cruelty law for animals. In 1874, in New York City, 9-year-old Mary Ellen Wilson was rescued from abuse by Eha Wheeler, a social worker, and Henry Bergh, founder of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. It was when Mary Ellen’s story reached the courts that people began to recognize the need for the protection of children.

The Massachusetts legislature noticed that factory owners were recruiting children to leave school and work long hours—regardless of their age. In 1877, this practice resulted in the creation of Boston’s first protective society for children. In that same year, 27 groups from 10 states joined together to create the Humane Society. “American Humane envisions a nation where no child nor animal will ever be a victim of willful abuse or neglect.”[2] Some interesting milestones include:

• 1866—Henry Bergh founded the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

• 1874—Bergh helped found the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

• 1878—On April 23, the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children set about to awaken interest in the abuses to which children were exposed by parents and guardians, and to help enforce existing laws, which offered some protection.

• 1884—Legislation was passed banning the exhibition of deformed children for entertainment and money.

• 1889—“Baby farms” regulation was passed. For a fee of $25, an unwanted baby could be left at one of these farms.

• 1903—Agencies began to move away from a response to child abuse that was based solely on enforcement of child abuse laws and toward an approach that also involved prevention.

• 1930—The Third White House Conference on Children determines that prevention of abuse and neglect must become a national priority.

• 1974—The Child Abuse Treatment Act was passed into law. It mandated reporting of child abuse, and was amended several times.

• 1979—Proclaimed as United Nations ‘Year of the Child’ and focused attention and education on the Child Abuse Treatment Act.

• 1983—President Ronald Reagan proclaims April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

• 1996—The Child Abuse Prevention, Treatment and Adoption Act was passed into law.

• 2002—The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children is the first secular organization to take a stand in response to the recently exposed sex abuse cases involving the Catholic Church.[3]

As we can see from this limited timeline, society has struggled greatly—even in recent history—to make even incremental progress toward protecting children. In looking back, we see that beliefs, policies, procedures, and practices in society, greatly failed to answer the call of Jesus and the mandate of service passed on to us through His example at the Last Supper. Sexual abuse and exploitation, physical abuse, neglect, and the emotional abuse of children have been the bane of our society for generations. But there is hope.

Our Catholic history shows us that we have led the world in taking sin and evil and turning it upside down to find the good. Even as we hold on to the slightest glimmer of God’s goodness, we hold fast until justice and peace result. For some, this “big picture” struggle has not been as easy as adopting and promoting some individual cause and supporting that cause through their good works. Meanwhile, many faithful have devoted their lives to promoting the full message of the gospels, and some have literally died in this pursuit.

Today we stand on the shoulders of these brave men and women. Never before have our efforts as Catholics been so focused and determined in such a steadfast manner as in our present efforts to protect children from all manners of abuse and neglect. The Holy Spirit has worked among and through us, despite our angers, hurts, resentments, and feelings of betrayal. Through the Protecting God’s Children^® program, thousands have found a place to begin the journey toward wholeness—a bridge that will help others cross to a place where hope and healing await.

The opening reflection from Ezra states that we are on a journey. In preparing for that safe journey, we call upon the power of God through our fasting and sacrifice. We have much to be grateful for and much to remind us of the Alleluia people we are all called to be. We continue to recognize our brothers and sisters who remain trapped in pain and agony and we focus on our mission:

“Dioceses/eparchies will reach out to victims/survivors and their families and demonstrate a sincere commitment to their spiritual and emotional well-being. The first obligation of the Church with regard to the victim is for healing and reconciliation.”

— Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, Revised Edition, Article 1[4]

Wearing a blue ribbon signifies solidarity with all those who promote child abuse prevention. Participating in the Protecting God’s Children program is a wonderful way to celebrate Child Abuse Prevention Month and is a powerful example of how to become an Alleluia person “from head to toe.” (Saint Thomas Aquinas)

[1]Scripture from the New American Bible Translation

[2] Retrieved on March 14, 2005, from American Humane Association website at: http://www.americanhumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=wh_mission.

[3]Retrieved on March 14, 2005, from The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals website at: http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=timeline.

[4] Retrieved on March 14, 2005, from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website at: http://www.usccb.org/ocyp/charter.shtml.