New Opcva Director Named for Dsj
By Roberta Ward
Anthony Gonzalez has been named Director of the Office for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (OPCVA) for the Diocese of San Jose. The office responds to victims’ inquiries and allegations and is responsible for training employees and volunteers in parishes, schools and diocesan-related programs and projects aimed at protecting youth and others from sexual abuse. Gonzalez comes to the diocesan position from Child Quest International, Inc. where he was Assistant Director, leading services which address victim advocacy and case management. He also served as communications ambassador for government affairs and directed daily operations for the agency’s partnerships and client services. His academic background is in Communication Design and Media Arts, and he has professional certifications as a NamUs Victim Advocate, radKIDS Abduction and Abuse Prevention Trainer, and i-SAFE Internet Safety Trainer. Building on the work of the office since the OPCVA began a decade ago, Gonzalez notes that today there are fewer reports of diocesan offenders because “the training and checking are paying off, and there is overall compliance.” He especially noted a new aspect of training of “teen leaders” which includes volunteers under 18 who may be in regular contact with minors or vulnerable adults. As of May 21, 2014, they may no longer use the “Shield the Vulnerable” online option for Safe Environment volunteer training. They must now be trained in a live presentation in order to receive a certificate of compliance, Gonzalez explained. “Our goal,” he explained, “is to provide our teen leader volunteers with age-appropriate language and information regarding how teens help their peers, at-risk youth, younger children and vulnerable adults.” He said in-person training “is more dynamic and engaging. They have to become engaged in conversation, sharing ideas in person and then they own it! We want to nurture people.” Realistically, he said that his office aims to “provide resources and help direct people to those resources so that, when needed, a person can make that first phone call.” According to the OPCVA’s mission statement, it “is committed to fostering healthy relationships by educating, training, and screening all adults who have regular access to children, youth and vulnerable adults within the Diocese of San Jose for the purpose of preventing harm.” Gonzalez said he was drawn to the OPCVA position because “I find it rewarding to help children.” He previously has worked as a volunteer on Internet safety in a program designed by his mother in which he became aware of the increasingly serious problem of inline “grooming” of children. “It feels very rewarding to help make a difference in children’s lives,” he said, “and today this kind of abuse is a great challenge for everyone. It’s important to help people be aware so they can protect their loved ones.” He especially mentioned that “it’s important to help kids understand their own feelings” and empower them to go to a “safe” person, a trusted adult. “Gut feelings are human nature’s alarm system,” he said, “so we have to help kids understand their own feelings. No victim should ever have to be alone.” Gonzalez said, “We are here for people. I want people to contact me. I have to know about something in order to fix it.”
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