VATICAN CITY — The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors has launched its first podcast, Inside Safeguarding, a monthly series aimed at increasing transparency, fostering dialogue, and educating listeners about the Catholic Church’s global child protection efforts.
Available on all major streaming platforms, the podcast provides an inside look at how the Church is confronting abuse, improving accountability, and working to protect minors and vulnerable adults. With three structured segments in each episode—news highlights, expert interviews, and a deep dive into the Commission’s Annual Report—Inside Safeguarding offers a comprehensive view of the Commission’s ongoing work.
“This is an exciting and humbling moment,” says William Roberts, the Inside Safeguarding Podcast creator and host. “We hope this podcast creates space for dialogue on an issue that has too often remained hidden.”
The launch reinforces the Church’s renewed commitment to safeguarding, the Commission is turning to modern tools to reach a global audience. The podcast is part of a wider push to make the Church’s safeguarding work more visible, accessible, and accountable.
What to Expect from the Podcast
Each episode of Inside Safeguarding follows a consistent format:
- Monthly News Recap – A summary of the most important updates, statements, and initiatives from the Commission.
- Feature Interview – Conversations with survivors, psychologists, child protection experts, and other key voices working in the field.
- Report Spotlight – An analysis of findings from the Commission’s Annual Report, detailing progress, challenges, and next steps in global safeguarding efforts.
By focusing on both institutional response and lived experiences, the podcast aims to bridge the gap between Church’s efforts and the wider community, offering listeners a candid and informed view of safeguarding in action.
Inside the First Episode
The debut episode features Dr. Patricia Espinoza, a criminal psychiatrist and child abuse expert, who shares her insights into the psychological and systemic dynamics of abuse and prevention. She also discusses the importance of institutional accountability, and the role transparency must play in restoring trust.
Her interview sets the tone for what the podcast hopes to deliver: thoughtful, informed discussion that moves beyond headlines and into the heart of the Church’s response to abuse.
Demystifying the Commission’s Work
For many, the inner workings of the Commission remain unclear. Inside Safeguarding intends to change that by highlighting not just the what, but the how—how the Commission collaborates with global partners, how it evaluates and assists reform, and how it supports victims and survivors of abuse.
This transparency, the Commission believes, is crucial to building public trust and ensuring lasting cultural change within the Church.
More Than a Podcast—A Call to Action
The creation of Inside Safeguarding is more than a media initiative—it’s a reflection of the Commission’s belief that communication is a core part of prevention. By giving voice to those on the front lines and those affected by abuse, the podcast hopes to foster awareness, empathy, and action.
“We want people to not just listen, but to care, to learn, and to act,” says Roberts. “This podcast is an invitation to be part of the solution.”
With this new platform, the Commission is reaffirming its commitment to building a safer future for all.
0 Comments