Safe Environments

Programs set in place to assist parents and children - and all those who volunteer in parishes, schools, agencies, and Curia offices - in preventing harm to young people and vulnerable adults.

Requirements for Employment & Volunteering

All employees or volunteers must complete the following Safe Environment program requirements before they begin their assigned duties:

  • Protecting God's Children Certification
  • Periodic Background Checks
  • Review and sign the Archdiocese of Detroit Code of Conduct
  • Volunteer Code of Conduct: English | Spanish
  • Pastoral code of conduct for employees, educators, priests, and deacons

These requirements apply to any volunteer at a parish or school-coordinated ministry or event, whether that happens on or off property. Whether or not a volunteer or employee interacts directly with children or vulnerable adults, all volunteers play a role in ensuring the safety and well-being or parish and school communities.



Questions about these requirements or the Virtus system can be directed to the Parish Office: 810.664.8594  | office@lapeercatholic.org

New Volunteers

If you already volunteer or already have a virtus account, please do NOT create a new account - see the "Current Volunteer" section below.


  • Sign up for a Virtus Account
  • Go to the Virtus website & select the First-Time Registrant to begin the registration process
  • From the drop down list of organizations, select Detroit, MI (Archdiocese)
  • Create a user name and password

                                    Please note: both user name and password are case sensitive

  • Enter your personal information, including information needed for background check authorization form such as date of birth, gender, race/ethnicity
  • Select the parish of school where you work or volunteer and choose your role(s) and enter your title or what you do for the parish
  • Answer whether you are associated with any other locations
  • Read and electronically sign the AOD Code of Conduct. You will be prompted to sign the Code of Conduct within your Virtus account registration.
  • Fill out and electronically sign a background check authorization form. You will be prompted to give the required information for a background check authorization and then asked to digitally sign the form within Virtus. The background check authorization form agrees to periodic criminal background checks – every year for employees, every two years for volunteers. Your information will be securely stored in Virtus.
  • Register for and complete the Protecting God’s Children/Vulnerable Adults training module. Training can be completed online or in person. Updated training must be completed every three years. You will be prompted to register for a training module within your new Virtus account.


Current Volunteers

  • If you currently volunteer with us, you already have completed a background check and Protecting God's Children training module.
  • Background checks are completed every 2 years
  • Protecting God's CHildren/Vulnerable Adult Recertification training is required every 3 years
  • When it is time to recertify and/or run a new background check you will be alerted by our office and will need to login to your Virtus account and complete the required forms and/or training
  • As a current volunteer you should already have a Virtus account, do NOT create a new account with Virtus
  • Already Have A Virtus Account, but Don't Know How to Log in?
  • Go to the Virtus website
  • Click the "Need Login Information" link
  • Follow the steps to reset your password or recover your username

Report Abuse



  • Emergencies | If you suspect someone is in immediate danger, call 911
  • Law enforcement | Individuals who suspect clergy sexual abuse of children or vulnerable adults are encouraged to contact the Michigan Attorney General’s Office by calling its toll-free reporting hotline at (844) 324-3374 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or by emailing aginvestigations@michigan.gov. Individuals also may contact their local police department.
  • Mandated reporting | Mandated reporters in Michigan must make an immediate verbal report to the CPS Centralized Intake for Abuse & Neglect at (855) 444-3911, followed by a written report within 72 hours. Reports also can be made online. (See below for more information on mandated reporters.)
  • Archdiocese of Detroit | The Archdiocese of Detroit's abuse reporting Intake Coordinator, Tony Latarski, can be reached at (313) 237-6060, toll-free at (866) 343-8055, or via email to reportabuse@aod.org. Mr. Latarski has an extensive background in law enforcement and works to receive and respond to all complaints. All calls and messages regarding complaints of sexual abuse will be returned in a timely manner. Callers will be asked to provide their name and telephone number. An individual may be more comfortable having first contact with the Victim Assistance Coordinator (Ms. Andrea Foley, VAC@aod.org, (313) 237-6062), but the report must nevertheless be made through the Intake Coordinator.