The Provincial Prevention Council of Chile is led by Fr David Albornoz, Vice Provincial, and composed of Fr Erick Oñate, Vicente Fritz, Camilo Cortés, and Freddy Araya. They serve to promote, coordinate, guide, and supervise the generation of healthy and safe environments within the Salesian houses in Chile through the implementation of policies for the prevention of abuse in its various dimensions. The team takes as a framework for action the Guidelines contained in the document "Care and Hope" of the Chilean Episcopal Conference (CECh).
After the opening message addressed by the Provincial, Fr Carlo Lira, who insisted on the animation, accompaniment and organization of this ministry, some lines of action of the Council were shared during the day, among which: reception of complaints, acting on complainants, and prevention of abuse and complaints and relevant training were the essential aspects.
Subsequently, the Provincial Education Team presented the profile of the person responsible in the field of abuse prevention and for good treatment, who was to be a professional in the socio-educational area with training or experience in the protection and promotion of child welfare, and who had completed the relevant courses on the prevention of abuse.
The implementation of this figure in every Educational-Pastoral Community (EPC) arises from the request of the Provincial Council to seek professionalism with the ability to plan, implement and evaluate prevention and support processes for all educational-pastoral agents. In this way, in the near future, it is hoped to have a point of reference in every area of the Salesian mission in the country.
Finally, during the day, in a work of great co-responsibility, an evaluation and planning exercise was carried out in this area, insisting on the need for a clear articulation in this shared mission.
The participants were grateful for the opportunity to meet and continue to be accompanied in this service by the Provincial Prevention Council, to continue building healthy and safe environments in the Salesian presence.
Among the feedback collected from the participants, we note: "Organization in this area is important. It was a very good day, though limited in time but it was clarifying a lot of relevant issues"; "It was a positive space for reflection and planning; at the operational level, I think more frequent meetings will be needed, until a clearer systematization is achieved in our houses”; and “These days further strengthen our responsibility as staff who are responsible. It is important to know the team, and I am grateful for this opportunity.”
