Safe Environments Program: For the Sake of God’s Children

Diocese of Wilmington2009

As a faith filled people we value and honor every individual as created in the image and likeness of God. We provide an environment where honesty, trust and mutual respect frame all relationships and clear behavioral standards are the norm.

Diocesan Requirements

Criminal background

Renewed every five years

Who/How/WhenWho does the actual clearances? What about background checks from other organizations/the state? Those done by other states?

Who has access/how are they retained? Only the individual and the Coordinator of Safe Environments receive the report.

They are stored in a secured external disk drive permanently. Role of the Review Panel

Ethical Standards Basis for Standards:

Self knowledgeAppropriate BoundariesAccountability

Who/How/When

Church personnel will Exhibit the highest ethical standards

and personal integrity reflective of the teachings of the Gospel.

At all times conduct themselves in a professional manner including developing and maintaining the level of professional competence commensurate with their ministerial duties

Witness God’s love for every person by sensitivity, reverence and respect of each individual with and to whom they minister.

Be conscious of the unique power they have in relationships due to the trust they are given and the visibility of their witness and leadership.

Assume the full burden for setting and maintaining clear, appropriate physical and emotional boundaries in all ministerial relationships.

Avoid taking unfair advantage of ministerial relationships for the benefit of themselves or others.

Not physically, sexually or emotionally abuse or neglect any person.

Have a duty to report their own ethical and professional misconduct and the misconduct of others.

Educational Processes include:

Brochures for employees, families, parish communities and volunteers Video: Child Abuse, how to see it, how to stop itDiocesan Policy (REVIEW)Reporting Procedures

When and how to report abuse

Education for Children

Curriculum : Keeping Our Promisespre k thru 12 based on the

11 characteristics of a safe environment.

Posters

Requirements for Religious Priests, Brothers and Sisters

If they live in DOW and work here If they live here and work elsewhere If they live outside the Diocese and

work here. If they are in retirement in the

Diocese

Religious Priests/Brothers/Sisters

Statement of Suitability from Major Superior

Criminal Background Check Ethical Standards Educational Process provided by the

Diocese.

Education Is Essential

What is child abuse?The four types of abuse

Physical Abuse Neglect Sexual Abuse Emotional Abuse

Signs of Abuse

Be aware that the presence of one sign does not necessarily indicate abuse.

Realize that the presence of a number of these signs may be reason for concern and possible exploration . No single sign proves a child has been mistreated but when signs appear repeatedly this should prompt heightened concern.

Signs of Sexual Abuse

Avoidance that is confusing or of concern Hyperactivity Fear of previously likeable places or

people New words for private body parts Talking about a new older friend Refusing to talk about a “secret” that she

or he has with an adult or older child. Self destructive behaviors

Who is an Abuser

The most common sex offender is: Male Married Knows the victim All socio economic classifications Every religious background Every career base

Types of Offenders

Opportunist: seeks children regularly until caught

Pedophile : has no sexual interest in adults and is sexually attracted to only children under the age of thirteen.

Sex Offender: an individual who is drawn to children for sexual exploitation.

Warning Signs of a Sexual Predator

SOME SIGNS MAY INCLUDE: Insists on hugging, touching, kissing, tickling, wrestling with

or holding a child even when the child does not want this affection

Is overly interested in the sexuality of a particular child or teen.

Manages to get time alone or insists on time alone with a child with no interruptions…a weekend sleepover.

Spends most of his or her spare time with children or teens and has little interest in spending time with someone of his or her own age.

Regularly offers to take children on outings alone. Buys expensive gifts or gives money for no apparent reason. Frequently walks in on children or teens in the bathroom Allows children or teens to consistently get away with

inappropriate behaviors.

Whose Problem Is This?

Child Abuse is the horrific reality of our society.

Every 2 minutes a child is abused (four types)

85% or more know the abuser well One in four girls and one in six boys

is victimized by age 18

Myths

Most sexual offenders are strangers FACT Most sexual assaults are committed

by someone familiar to the victim The majority of sexual offenders are

caught, convicted and sentenced to prison.

FACT Only a small fraction of those who commit sexual assault are apprehended and convicted for their crimes.

Statistics

More than 90% of abusers are parents, brothers, sisters or close relatives, the age of abusers is dropping and we now have children abusing children.

Other professions where abusers are identifiable: teachers, school bus drivers, coaches, scout leaders, counselors, ministers of other denominations, school principal.

95% of child abusers were abused as children.

Appropriate Boundaries for Relationships

PRINCIPLES Know yourself --- what you know and

can do and what is best referred elsewhere. Diocesan resourcing and beyond.

Establish limits --- personal space, time, resources

Be accountable --- to self, the diocese and the state laws.

Build A Safe Environment For Everyone

Expectations Know the physical plant and be sure that

access areas are appropriately lighted (back entrances should not be used for public access, especially not to give entry to young people).

Use the two adult standard and the buddy system with kids…… don’t be alone with children.

Use computer equipment responsibly recognizing the growing access to pornography/internet access.

Pornography

22% of teen girls say they electronically sent or posted online nude or semi-nude self images. 33% teen boys and 25% teen girls say they have shared images meant to be private.

Sleepovers with 13 -14 year old girls who gather to watch porn to learn about sex and what boys want

Every second $3,075 is being spent on pornography The porn industry is larger than the revenues of the top

technology companies combined. Hollywood produces 400 feature films a year and the porn

industry churns out 11,000

70% of 15-17 year olds said they accidentally came across pornography on line.

Child pornography is illegal, not protected by the 1st Amendment.

Data from presentation at National Coordinator of Safe Environments 2009

What can adults provide?

Boundaries appropriate to the relationship Trained and honest leaders Being aware that the facility is secure Be properly trained to respond to

emergency situations Report inappropriate behaviors Earn respect Be a positive role model Remain free from unwarranted suspicion.

VICTIM’S ASSISTANCE OFFICE AND SERVICES

Peg McLaughlinContact thru Catholic Charities

Expectations of the Diocese about when and how to report

If anyone has cause to believe that abuse has occurred or receives a report of such an act , a report of the incident must be made immediately to the appropriate state authority. Immediately thereafter, the individual should promptly notify the Vicar General for Administration. (See brochure for phone numbers.)

For The Sake Of God’s ChildrenDiocesan Safe Environment Program

Level Of Compliance: Compliance Oversight Committee

Level Of Cooperation in Diocese Leadership Role/Responsibilities

Parish Team/Compliance Person

Materials available upon request:Video Brochures Posters Program Manual Curriculum

Use Of Bulletin/Parish Newsletter And Parish Website as tools for information and education.

To minister in the name of Jesus Christ is a great privilege and tremendous responsibility. As ministers of the Lord we must act in ways that are in conformity with the attitudes and actions He lived and taught.

Letter of Bishop Michael Saltarelli May 2003 calling for the implementation of For the Sake of God’s Children.