Protecting God’s Children

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The Office for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (OPCVA) is committed to fostering healthy relationships by means of educating, training, and screening all adults who have regular access to children, youth and vulnerable adults within our Diocese of San Jose for the purpose of preventing harm.

Adult Code of Conduct

  • Every youth is expected to act in a Christ-like manner.
  • Be respectful.
  • Follow procedures and policies as given.
  • Cooperate with classmates, teachers, peers, and leaders.
  • Communicate in an appropriate manner.
  • Respect the personal boundaries and protection of others.
  • Promote and support a safe, fun, and healthy environment through positive participation.
  • No youth will tolerate abuse.

Youth Code of Conduct

Protecting God’s Children

  • Maintain clean, healthy, and respectful boundaries between adults and youth in speech and conduct
    (physical, sexual, spiritual, relational, and emotional):

    • Maintain appropriate chaperone requirements
      and adult-to-youth ratio for youth events (per
      Diocesan policy) or event will be cancelled.
    • Refrain from any sexual, sexist, racist, inappropriate comments, obscene language, alcohol, and gestures;
    • No chaperone should be alone with a young person at any time (other than a parent with his or her own child or during the Sacrament of Reconciliation). All interactions between chaperones and a youth should be in an area that can be observed by other chaperones.
    • Conduct activities with youth only with the explicit knowledge and consent of parents and guardian
  • All Youth Ministry Leaders must know of and comply with all applicable parish, organizational and/or diocesan policies with special attention to sexual misconduct, safe Environment, risk management, safety, transportation, parental permission, and medical emergency policies.
  • Report any suspicion of abuse, including reports of domestic violence, to a mandated reporter (clergy, religious, management) who will immediately notify Child Protective Services or the Police Department.
  • Refrain from any physical, psychological, written or verbal intimidation, harassment of or between staff, volunteers, or parishioners and do not tolerate such harassment towards others (allegations are to be reported to the pastor).

Ways to Report Misconduct

Safe Environment
If you suspect abuse in your parish, school or in the Diocese of San Jose, please contact:

  • Police: 911
  • Child Protective Services: 833‐722‐5437
  • EthicsPoint hotline: 844‐372‐1691
  • opcva.ethicspoint.com
  • Office for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults:
    Anthony Gonzalez   408-983-0113
    anthony.gonzalez@dsj.org
    Griselda Cervantez   408‐983‐0225
    griselda.cervantez@dsj.org

Financial Mismanagement
If you suspect financial mismanagement or misconduct in your parish, school or in the Diocese of San Jose, please contact:

  • EthicsPoint hotline: 888-325-7863
  • dsj.ethicspoint.com
  • Office of Audit Services:
    Julio Bermudez   408-983-0241
    julio.bermudez@dsj.org