SAN ANTONIO • Archbishop José H. Gomez has announced the appointment of Steve Martinez as the new director of the Office of Victim Assistance and Safe Environment (OVASE).
    He assumes the director’s position from Judy Anderson Perillo, who retired after founding the office in September of 2003. “Mr. Martinez has shown considerable skill in carrying out the mission of the office as associate director and interim director. I am confident that he will continue to effectively oversee the important work of OVASE in carrying out the archdiocese’s work of prevention and healing,” Archbishop Gomez said in naming Martinez to the position.

    Since joining OVASE in April of 2004, Martinez assisted in developing the archdiocesan sexual abuse prevention curriculum that is used to educate church and school staff and volunteers. As associate director he was responsible for training the parish and school Safe Environment coordinators. He also has counseled with victims as they have made themselves known to the archdiocese.

    Upon the retirement of Perillo in June of 2005, Martinez was named interim director. During that time he participated in the recent successful annual audit that evaluates archdiocesan compliance with the national “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,” required each year by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. He also directed last year’s first annual, “Safe Church, Safe Child and Youth” campaign. During this two-week effort, more than 20,000 children were trained to protect themselves against sexual abuse. Concerning Martinez’ contributions to the work of OVASE, Auxiliary Bishop Patrick Zurek, supervisor of the office, said, “Mr. Martinez was an excellent complement to Ms. Perillo in OVASE. Since her departure he has certainly proven himself to have the qualities, character, knowledge and compassion to direct this office. I am pleased with the choice and look forward to continued growth and effective administration of this important ministry.”

    Upon accepting the archbishop’s appointment, Steve Martinez said, “The archdiocese has accomplished a great deal through this office, but there is still much that needs to be done. We will not be satisfied until there are no more victims of abuse and we have assisted every victim we can.” Since the implementation of the “Charter,” the archdiocese has trained over 45,000 children and educated 670 deacons and priests, more than 20,000 volunteers and parents and nearly 5,000 educators and employees about the dangers and signs of sexual abuse of children.

    The archdiocese drew on a wide variety of people from the church and community to participate in the process that led to the appointment. In recognizing their effort, Archbishop Gomez said, “I want to thank them for bringing their experience and insight to help us bring our search to this successful conclusion.”

   “It is an important priority for me to ensure the protection of all our children from any form of abuse,” said Archbishop Gomez. “Through the Office of Victim Assistance and Safe Environment, the Archdiocese of San Antonio will continue to reach out with love and understanding to those victims who have been abused by any person in church ministry.”

    Martinez holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio. He came to OVASE after working as program coordinator at Laurel Ridge Hospital of San Antonio. There, he developed a behavioral modification program and provided individual, family and group sex offender therapy. Martinez also provided individual and family victim therapy. “My previous work with victims has allowed me to gain an understanding into the victim/survivor experience. This experience has helped me to provide better service to victims of abuse,” Martinez said.

    The Office of Victim Assistance and Safe Environment of the Archdiocese of San Antonio is located at 1201 Donaldson. Their number is (210) 734-7786 or toll free (877) 700-1888. The office also can be contacted by e-mail at ovase@archdiosa.org.