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Office of Child & Youth Protection

The Office of Child and Youth Protection (OCYP) serves "to protect children and vulnerable individuals in the Archdiocese of Atlanta from sexual abuse, and to provide in a responsible way a charitable and healing response to those who have suffered such abuse" (Archbishop's Mission Statement For The Sexual Abuse Awareness Program for the Atlanta Archdiocese).  

The Office of Child and Youth Protection (formerly Project Aware) was formed in 1995. The original intent was as a primary prevention program with the ultimate goal of raising awareness of the problem of sexual abuse. The original program established relationships with community-based programs, such as the Georgia Council on Child Abuse; developed awareness presentations at the parish level; coordinated retreats for adult survivors of sexual abuse; initiated an Advisory Board; and recruited volunteers and parish liaisons.

In 2001 Project Aware became the Office of Child and Youth Protection and established training programs, developed policies and procedures around safe environment, and oversaw compliance with the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People; these programs are now under the Department of Human Resources.  

The Office of Child and Youth Protection now focuses primarily on supporting survivors of sexual abuse during investigations, works as their liaison with the Archbishop's Lay Advisory Board, and maintains the long-standing relationships with community-based programs. Most importantly, the OCYP works with survivors to promote healing.