Editor’s note: The following information was provided to the Catholic Anchor by the Office of Safe Environment for the Archdiocese of Anchorage as a resource from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
1. The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People was established by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in June 2002. It is a comprehensive set of procedures for addressing allegations of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy. The Archdiocese of Anchorage follows the charter’s mandates by including them in its Code of Conduct established for all clergy, religious, staff and volunteers.
2. The charter directs action in all the following matters: healing and reconciliation of victims and survivors; making prompt and effective response to allegations; cooperating with civil authorities; disciplining offenders; creating a safe environment for children and young people; providing for means of accountability for the future to ensure the problem continues to be effectively dealt with through a national Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection and a National Review Board. Go to the Archdiocese of Anchorage Web site, under “A Safe Environment” (archdioceseofanchorage.org) for a copy of the charter.
3. The charter calls for annual audits of dioceses and eparchies to ascertain compliance with the charter. Annual audits have been conducted since 2003. Of the 195 dioceses and eparchies, 188 participated in the 2010 audit. The results are published and a copy is sent to the Holy See. The Archdiocese of Anchorage has been found compliant for the past three years and is preparing for an on-site audit this summer.
4. Safe environment training is taking place in all audited dioceses and eparchies of the country. Within the Archdiocese of Anchorage, more than 1,000 people, including clergy, staff and volunteers have been trained through our on-line training program since 2009.
5. Background evaluations have been conducted on more than 2 million volunteers and church personnel who have contact with children. In 2010, 162,753 educators, 37,891 priests, 14,790 deacons and 6,028 candidates for ordination have had backgrounds evaluations. Within the Archdiocese of Anchorage, anyone supervising minors is required to have a background check.
6. All dioceses and eparchies have designated Victim Assistance Coordinators, assuring victims that they will be heard. In 2010, dioceses and eparchies provided outreach to 2,346 victim/survivors. The Archdiocese of Anchorage’s Victims Assistance Coordinator is Rosemary Insley and she can be contacted at (907) 297-7786. The Victims Assistance Coordinator supports victims in finding healing and justice.
7. Regardless of when the abuse occurred, a cleric against whom there is an established or admitted act of child sexual abuse is permanently removed from active ministry.
8. Dioceses and eparchies require intensive background screening as well as psychological testing for those wishing to enter the seminary.
9. More than 5.3 million children were given the skills to recognize a “grooming” process and to tell parents and other trusted adults about such behavior. Every parish and school is required to offer training to students and parents and all are encouraged to attend.
10. In 2010, no diocese or eparchy entered into confidentiality settlements unless the victim/survivors requested it and it was specifically noted in the agreement.
11. Dioceses and eparchies report allegations of sexual abuse of a minor to the civil authorities. The policy outlined in the Archdiocese of Anchorage Code of Conduct directs priests, deacons and staff to report all allegations of child sexual abuse first to civil authorities.
12. The charter requires that all dioceses and eparchies be open and transparent regarding all cases of sexual abuse. Parishes affected by abuse are to be informed of allegations openly, honestly and compassionately.
13. The Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection helps dioceses and eparchies become and stay compliant with the charter.
14. The National Review Board is a lay group appointed by the USCCB president to offer its advice on matters of child and youth protection to the Bishops’ Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People. The Archdiocese of Anchorage has a local Review Board consisting of six members that work in the following fields: law enforcement, education, legal profession, mental health counseling and health care.
15. The National Review Board is overseeing the completion of the “Causes and Context of the Sexual Abuse Scandal Study” by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. The final report is due out this spring. Archbishop Schwietz plans to report to parishes the results of this study.
16. Bishops and eparches communicate with each other on a regular basis to ensure a cleric who committed an act of sexual abuse is not transferred to another diocese or eparchy.
17. To ensure open communication between religious orders and bishops, a representative from the Conference of Major Superiors of Men serves on the Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People.
18. Recognizing the importance of on-going formation, bishops and eparches are committing resources to continued formation programs of chastity, celibacy and human formation for clerics.
19. Reconciliation among all people, especially those most affected by abuse is an on-going part of diocesan and eparchial outreach efforts. Masses, retreats, prayer groups, healing gardens, evenings with bishops are a few examples of outreach efforts. On Saturday, April 9, a healing Mass is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at St. Anthony Church in Anchorage and a listening session is scheduled for Friday, April 8, from 3-6 p.m. at the Downtown Marriott. Fairbanks Bishop Donald Kettler and Archbishop Schwietz will be present at both events.
20. All dioceses and eparchies have written policies on the sexual abuse of minors by clerics and church personnel. The Archdiocese of Anchorage has a policy on attendance at liturgies and parish functions by registered sex offenders.
21. There are 52,910 clerics in the United States that are dedicated, holy men of integrity who work tirelessly to bring Christ to the faithful.
22. For additional resources to recognize April as Child Abuse Awareness Month, go online to usccb.org/ocyp/april_cap_month_2011.shtml.
The Catholic Church has worked hard to protect children. Much has been done but more is needed. Until child sexual abuse is no longer a part of society, the church will continue its efforts to stop it.
For information regarding safe environment in the Anchorage Archdiocese, contact Safe Environment Coordinator Jenny Michaelson at 297-7736.
If you or someone you know has been sexually or physically abused, contact Office of Children’s Services (800) 478-4444, Adult Protective Services (800) 478-9996 or the Archdiocesan Victim’s Assistance Coordinator at (907) 297-7786.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Catholic Anchor Online - Anchorage Archdiocese details information on Safe Environment practices
