SAFE ENVIRONMENT

 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ST. ZEPHERIN

PARISH

 

Cochituate Village

Wayland, Massachusetts

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

 

1. PREFACE

            1.1 St. Zepherin Response

            1.2 How These Policies and Procedures Relate to Civil and Church Laws and Regulations

 

2. SCOPE AND DEFINITIONS

            2.1 Meaning of a Safe Environment

2.2 Whose Safety Do These Policies and Procedures Address?

            2.3 To Whom These Policies and Procedures Apply

            2.4 The Concept of “Ministry”

            2.5 Definitions of Terms

 

3. SAFE ENVIRONMENT CRITERIA FOR MINISTRY     

            3.1 Commitment to Providing a Church Environment Safe from Abuse

            3.2 Volunteer Safe Environment Criteria

            3.3 Paid Pastoral Staff Safe Environment Criteria

            3.4 Additional Safe Environment Criteria for Ministry

                        3.4.1 References

                        3.4.2 Criminal Background (CORI) Checks

                        3.4.3 Working with Other Faith Communities

            3.4.4 Follow-up

            3.4.5 Driver Eligibility

            3.4.6 Release

 

4. PREVENTING ABUSE

            4.1 Commitment to Preventing Abuse

            4.2 The Two-Adult Rule for Supervising Children and Youth

            4.3 Reasons for Suspending Compliance with the Two-Adult Rule

            4.4 Documentation of Non-Compliance with the Two-Adult Rule

            4.5 Ensuring Accountability

                        4.5.1 Supervision and Safety Procedures

                        4.5.2 Behavioral Guidelines

                        4.5.3 Pastoral Standards

 

5. IDENTIFICATION AND REPORTING OF ABUSE

            5.1 Commitment and Responsibility to Report Abuse

            5.2 Identifying and Responding to Child Abuse

                        5.2.1 Being Aware of Signs of Abuse

                        5.2.2 Being Available for the Disclosure of Abuse

                        5.2.3 Responding to Disclosure of Abuse

                        5.2.4 Responding to Situations in Which Abuse Occurs

            5.3 Reporting Abuse

5.3.1 Who Reports

5.3.2 What Is Reported

5.4 Contact Information for Reporting Abuse

5.5 Responding to Allegations of Abuse by Church Personnel

5.5.1 Parish Response to Allegations of Abuse by Church Personnel

5.5.2 Responding to the Media

 

6.  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND REFERENCES

 

APPENDICES

A.     A Theological Foundation for Providing a Safe Environment

B.     Code of Pastoral Conduct for Church Personnel

            C.  Disclosure of Abuse

            D.  Responding to the Abused Child

 

FORMS

1. Ministry Volunteer Application

2. Ministry Volunteer Reference Check Form

3. Ministry Volunteer Interview Guide Questions

            4. Safe Environment Acknowledgment

5. Parental Permission

            6. Incident of Non-Compliance with the Two-Adult Rule

 

 

 

 

1. PREFACE

 

1.1 St. Zepherin Response

 

Out of concern for the children and youth of the parish and for victims of abuse by church personnel, and as a response to the disturbing revelations of sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of Boston, St. Zepherin Parish held several forums permitting parishioners to express their views.  As a result of those forums, St. Zepherin Response, a committee of over thirty parishioners, was created to address in thoughtful and concrete ways the views expressed. This Safe Environment Policies and Procedures document is one of St. Zepherin Response’s efforts to address the crisis of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.

 

1.2 How These Policies and Procedures Relate to Civil and Church Laws and Regulations

 

The Safe Environment Policies and Procedures of St. Zepherin Parish are consistent with all applicable civil and Church laws and regulations, including:

 

• Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 119, Protection and Care of Children, and Proceedings against Them, Sections 51A-B, as amended May 3, 2002.

 

• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, promulgated December 12, 2002.

 

• Archdiocese of Boston, Policies and Procedures for the Protection of Children, promulgated May 30, 2003.

 

These Safe Environment Policies and Procedures shall be reviewed annually by the parish Safe Environment Committee. 

 

2. SCOPE AND DEFINITIONS

 

2.1 Meaning of a Safe Environment

 

A safe environment is a secure and healthy environment that fosters and encourages human growth and development.  The purpose of the Safe Environment Policies and Procedures of St. Zepherin Parish is to provide a structure for promoting such a healthy environment.  (See Appendix A, p. 15, for a theological foundation for the understanding of human sexuality and human relationships upon which these Policies and Procedures are based.)

 

2.2 Whose Safety Do These Policies and Procedures Address?

 

The primary goal of these Policies and Procedures is to provide a safe, secure and healthy environment for everyone in St. Zepherin Parish.  Special attention is focused on ensuring the safety of children and youth, the elderly and disabled, and those receiving pastoral care.  The Policies and Procedures also aim to provide a safe environment for church personnel by reducing the possibility of false accusations.

 

 

 

 

2.3 To Whom These Policies and Procedures Apply

 

The Safe Environment Policies and Procedures apply to the following people ministering or working at St. Zepherin Parish:

 

• All priests, deacons, and seminarians,

 

• All paid staff members,

 

• All volunteers who are normally in direct contact with children, youth, the elderly, and the disabled or are likely to have such unmonitored contact; these include volunteers in programs such as Family Religious Education, Youth Ministry, Children's Choirs, Children’s Liturgy of the Word, Teen Liturgies, Babysitting, and Pastoral Visitations to the Sick and Homebound.

 

• All other volunteers, who are encouraged to become educated in preventing, recognizing, and reporting abuse.

 

2.4 The Concept of “Ministry”

 

All Christians are called to ministry by virtue of their baptism, when their God-given talents and abilities are affirmed by the Spirit.  Christians are thus called from the day of their baptism and throughout their lives to use their God given talents and abilities. 

 

Within Christian faith communities, the Sacrament of Ordination builds upon the foundation in faith affirmed at baptism and recognizes a gift for pastoral leadership.   Lay men and women (including vowed religious men and women) called to professional ministry in the Church can also share in such leadership.  Still, the majority of ministry is done by volunteers who contribute generously of their time and talents.

 

The Safe Environment Policies and Procedures of St. Zepherin Parish affirm the call to ministry of all baptized believers and the importance of the ministries of clergy, professional lay ministers, and parish volunteers. 

 

2.5 Definitions of Terms

 

For the purposes of these Policies and Procedures, the following terms are defined:

 

·        Archdiocese means the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston.

 

·        Church personnel include any priest, deacon, member of a religious community, employee, or volunteer active in or on behalf of St. Zepherin Parish.

 

·        Ministry coordinator refers to the individual (staff or volunteer) immediately responsible for a specific ministry.

 

·        Volunteer means any unpaid person engaged in or involved in a parish ministry.

 

·        Vulnerable population includes children, youth, the elderly, the disabled, and those seeking counseling.

 

·        Children/youth means all persons under the age of eighteen.

 

·        The elderly are defined by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as those sixty years of age or older.

 

·        Disabled persons include those with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities and can be of any age.

 

·        Abuse is an intentional action causing physical, sexual, or emotional injury. 

 

·        Safe Environment Committee means the parish committee responsible for facilitating and monitoring the implementation of the Safe Environment Policies and Procedures.   This committee is appointed for a designated period by the Pastor with the consultation of the parish Pastoral Council.  The committee chooses its own chairman annually.

 

·        CAP Team refers to the team of parish volunteers trained by the Archdiocese to provide local training in child abuse prevention.  CAP Team members are ex-officio members of the parish Safe Environment Committee.

 

·        Criminal background check means an evaluation of an individual’s criminal offender record information (CORI) as held in the database of the Criminal History Systems Board of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

 

·        Mandated reporter means an individual (generally an employee) obligated by law to report actual or suspected abuse to proper authorities.  Volunteers, though not mandated by Massachusetts law, are also required to make such reports by Archdiocesan and parish policy.

 

3. SAFE ENVIRONMENT CRITERIA FOR MINISTRY           

 

3.1 Commitment to Providing a Church Environment Safe from Abuse

 

Although it is not possible to completely eliminate the danger of abuse of vulnerable populations, these Safe Environment Policies and Procedures are designed to greatly reduce the chance of its occurrence.

 

3.2 Volunteer Safe Environment Criteria

 

All volunteers at St. Zepherin Parish, 18 years of age and older, must:

 

• If a new volunteer, submit a written application (similar to Form 1, p. 21), including three references (see Form 2, p.23), and be interviewed by the coordinator of the relevant ministry (see Form 3, p. 24);  It is recommended that a central database of all parish volunteers be completed within nine months of this policy’s adoption.

 

• If working with or likely to be in unmonitored contact with any vulnerable population, receive a CLEAR on the Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check as reported by the Massachusetts Criminal History Systems Board to the Office of Volunteer Resources, Archdiocese of Boston;

 

• If working with children or youth, participate in a CAP Team training program (e.g., Protecting God’s Children) and any follow-up programs (this training is strongly recommended for all other volunteers);

 

• Read the Safe Environment Policies and Procedures or a summary version [a pamphlet to be drafted after acceptance of these Policies and Procedures] and the Code of Pastoral Conduct (Appendix B, p. 17) and sign the Safe Environment Acknowledgment Form (Form 4, p. 26).

 

3.3 Paid Pastoral Staff Safe Environment Criteria

 

Professional ministers and staff employed at St. Zepherin Parish must:

 

• Be 18 years of age or older;

 

• If working with vulnerable populations, have a minimum of six (6) months prior volunteer or paid experience working with such populations;

 

• Submit a written application, including description of experience plus both personal and professional references;

 

• Be interviewed by the Pastor and other relevant church personnel;

 

• Receive a CLEAR on the Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check as reported by the Massachusetts Criminal History Systems Board to the Office of Volunteer Resources, Archdiocese of Boston;

 

• Participate in a CAP Team training program (e.g., Protecting God’s Children); and

 

• Read these Safe Environment Policies and Procedures, including the Code of Pastoral Conduct (Appendix B, p. 17), and sign the Safe Environment Acknowledgment Form (Form 4, p. 26).

 

 

3.4 Additional Safe Environment Criteria for Ministry

 

3.4.1 References: The appropriate ministry coordinator is responsible for checking all references submitted by new volunteers or applicants for paid, professional ministry positions. The ministry coordinator is responsible for keeping confidential the personal information communicated in the reference check.

 

3.4.2 Criminal Background (CORI) Checks: The results of all CORI checks of church personnel are known only by the Office of Volunteer Resources, Archdiocese of Boston (in the case of laity), or the Archdiocesan Secretary for Ministerial Personnel (in the case of clergy). St. Zepherin Parish will receive a CLEAR or NOT CLEAR with instructions for a course of action to follow.  Disqualifying offenses are determined by the Office of Volunteer Resources using a list adapted from one provided by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  An applicant who questions a negative report may contact the respective Archdiocesan office directly.

 

3.4.3 Working with Other Faith Communities:  Other faith communities (Catholic and non-Catholic) with which St. Zepherin Parish conducts or participates in activities and events should encourage a CORI check for all personnel who interact with vulnerable populations.  St. Zepherin Parish must supply enough cleared personnel to supervise its own members.

 

3.4.4 Follow-up: St. Zepherin Parish expects those involved in ministry with vulnerable populations to be CORI-checked yearly.  Additionally, the Safe Environment Committee will conduct an annual follow-up with ministry coordinators in order to assess the application and effectiveness of the Safe Environment Policies and Procedures.

 

3.4.5 Driver Eligibility:  Church personnel who drive others, including members of vulnerable populations, to or from any church activity or event must be at least 21 years of age and have a valid driver’s license, a properly registered vehicle, and insurance as required by law.

 

3.4.6 Release: Anyone who has been accepted to work with vulnerable populations at St. Zepherin Parish must adhere to the Code of Pastoral Conduct as well as these Policies and Procedures.  Failure to do so will result in the individual's release from parish ministry.

 

4. PREVENTING ABUSE

           

4.1 Commitment to Preventing Abuse

 

These Safe Environment Policies and Procedures are designed to guard against abuse and, at the same time, protect church personnel from false accusations or allegations.  Church personnel and parents need to:

 

• Know the warning signs of potential abuse,
• Control access to vulnerable populations,
• Monitor all programs for situations that could facilitate abuse.
• Be aware of what is going on in the lives of children, and
• Communicate their concerns to the appropriate persons or authorities. 

 

These points are covered in more detail in the CAP Team program, “Protecting God’s Children.”

 

4.2 The Two-Adult Rule for Supervising Children and Youth

 

As a safeguard for both vulnerable populations and church personnel, St. Zepherin Parish requires that at least two CORI-cleared adults be present in all situations involving children or youth sponsored by the Church, regardless of location. If a large group is subdivided into smaller groups, at least one cleared adult must supervise each subgroup at all times.

 

The following points are emphasized:

 

1.  The Two-Adult Rule applies to all church programs, whether continuing (such as religious classes) or one-time (such as a field trip).

 

2.      Special care must be taken in supervising children from infancy through second grade.  Activities and events for such children may often require more than two cleared adults. 

 

3.      Parental consent is required for attendance at any church or church-related activity/event held offsite, including overnights. (See Form 5, p. 27.)

 

4.      Although no person under age 18 can be an approved supervisor for the purpose of the Two-Adult Rule, they may act as assistants when properly supervised: i.e., youths aged 11-17 are permitted to assist in appropriate parish ministries, such as babysitting, and youths aged 13-17 are permitted to serve as teen aides for Youth Ministry.  However, all youths participating in or helping to guide parish ministries, activities, or events must be supervised at all times by cleared church personnel.  Teen aides may attend CAP training when accompanied by a parent.

 

5.      In circumstances where children/youth use the bathroom, hallway monitor(s) must be in place.

 

6.      The Two-Adult Rule also applies to the transportation of children and youth.  If limited seating space in available vehicles makes non-compliance necessary, church personnel must never be alone with a single unrelated child or youth.  Written parental permission is necessary for pickups of their children by neighbors, friends, or other relatives.  A preferred solution is to have the parents pick up their children, e.g., at the church parking lot.

 

7.      Where only one member of a vulnerable population is present, the Two-Adult Rule may not be met by related persons, such as husband and wife, mother and daughter, or uncle and nephew.  The presence of a third cleared adult would be required in these cases.

 

8.      If an adult needs to speak with a child one on one, it must be done in view of at least one other cleared adult. 

 

9.      The Two-Adult Rule does not take precedence over parental care and responsibility.

 

4.3 Reasons for Suspending Compliance with the Two-Adult Rule

 

Legitimate circumstances when compliance with the Two-Adult Rule may be suspended temporarily include:

 

• An emergency, when the safety or welfare of an individual is at risk or when there is an urgent need to provide pastoral care or counseling to a child or youth under circumstances that do not allow the provisions of this rule to be followed.

 

• Sacramental confession.

 

4.4 Documentation of Non-Compliance with the Two-Adult Rule

 

Suitable documentation (Form 6, p. 28) may be completed when there is non-compliance with the Two-Adult Rule.  Such documentation is recommended whenever there could be any future question about the incident.

 

4.5 Ensuring Accountability

 

The following supervision and safety procedures, behavioral guidelines, and pastoral standards are designed to ensure proper accountability of Church personnel.

 

4.5.1 Supervision and Safety Procedures

 

1.      An adequate number of adults must be present at events involving vulnerable populations.  Church personnel who organize a parish activity or event are responsible for determining the number of adults needed to provide adequate supervision.  The ministry coordinator or committee should set standards, as needed.

 

2.   It is essential for the safety and security of members of vulnerable populations that their location and the people they are with can be accounted for at all times.

 

3.   Supervision is required to extend to periods before and after an event, including when children or youth are waiting for transportation outside the designated church entrance.

 

4.      Private counseling must be done with a door open or behind a door with a window, with another cleared adult nearby.

 

5.      The Sacrament of Reconciliation for members of vulnerable populations should occur in an open, accessible space that also allows for confidential communication.

 

6.      All chaperones for parish events on or off parish property are volunteers and thus must be CORI-checked annually and must have attended CAP training. 

 

7.      A child's right to privacy should always be respected.

 

8.      Under no circumstances should minors ever be enticed or permitted to partake in alcoholic beverages or drugs, or any other such behavior which would be considered illegal or inappropriate.

 

4.5.2 Behavioral Guidelines 

 

1.                  Touching should be age-appropriate and based on the need of the vulnerable population member and not on the needs of church personnel (if a minor initiates physical contact, an appropriate limited response is proper).

 

2.                  The church personnel member in charge of an event or activity together with the parents of a minor should handle discipline problems (church personnel may not engage in the corporal discipline of a child or youth).

 

4.5.3 Pastoral Standards

 

1.   Only church personnel with the proper education and training may offer pastoral counseling.  Volunteers who do not have counseling expertise and who think that a person may need professional counseling should consult with the parish pastoral staff.     

 

2.      Church personnel are responsible for setting and maintaining clear, appropriate boundaries in all relationships with persons they serve, especially in relationships with members of vulnerable populations.

 

3.      Information obtained by church personnel in private conversations with members of vulnerable populations should be considered confidential, except for compelling professional reasons or as required by law.

 

4.      Decisions made by church personnel must meet the obligations of civil and Church law.

 

 

5.   All church personnel who work with vulnerable populations should evaluate their ministry every year in terms of how well they have followed the Safe Environment Policies and Procedures and make any recommendations to their ministry coordinator or the Safe Environment Committee.

 

 

5. IDENTIFICATION AND REPORTING OF ABUSE

 

5.1 Commitment and Responsibility to Report Abuse

 

Church personnel at St. Zepherin Parish commit themselves to reporting known or suspected abuse to the appropriate authorities in accord with Massachusetts law and Archdiocesan policy.  While legal reporting requirements focus on child abuse, any abuse of vulnerable adults should also be reported.

 

5.2 Identifying and Responding to Child Abuse

 

5.2.1 Being Aware of Signs of Abuse: All church personnel are responsible for being aware of signs of possible abuse or neglect.   These signs, both perceptual and behavioral, are described in Child Abuse Hurts Us All, a publication of the Department of Social Services that is part of the CAP training materials.

 

5.2.2 Being Available for the Disclosure of Abuse: Children often disclose their abuse through indirect hints, in a disguised manner (for example, talking about what happened to "a friend" rather than themselves), or with conditions attached (saying, for example, "Before I tell you about my problem you've got to promise never to tell anyone else.").  It is less common for victims to tell someone directly and specifically about incidents of abuse.  Church personnel are to be aware of both the indirect and direct ways in which abuse may be disclosed, and make themselves available if they suspect abuse and believe that a child is likely to disclose abuse to them (see Appendix C, p. 18). 

 

5.2.3 Responding to Disclosure of Abuse: If a child discloses that she or he has been the victim of abuse, the church personnel member must take the time to listen to and reassure the child or youth, respond compassionately, and then report to the appropriate authorities (see Appendix D, p. 19).

 

The person to whom disclosure of abuse is made should not normally contact the parent(s) or guardian(s) of the child.  He or she should not interrogate the person disclosing abuse.  Rather, her or his job is to listen, reassure, and then report the abuse.  It is the responsibility of the civil and Church authorities to investigate alleged abuse.  These authorities will indicate what the reporter needs to do after she or he reports the abuse.

 

5.2.4 Responding to Situations in Which Abuse Occurs: If a parish staff member or volunteer observes anyone abusing any individual, he or she should intervene immediately to provide a safe environment for the victim of abuse.  Then, he or she should report the abuse to the appropriate authorities.

 

5.3 Reporting Abuse

 

5.3.1 Who Reports

 

According to the Archdiocesan Policies and Procedures for the Protection of Children (Article 5, Section 3),  “The Archdiocese requires all clergy, archdiocesan personnel, and volunteers to contact the appropriate civil authorities when a person has knowledge or reasonable cause to suspect that a person under eighteen (18) years of age is being, or has been, abused or neglected.”  This policy goes farther than the state law, which names only professionals as mandated reporters.  (However, clergy are not required by civil or Church law to report knowledge of abuse that was gained during the Sacrament of Reconciliation.)

Further, the Archdiocesan Policies and Procedures (Article 6, Section 1) states, “Any person may make a complaint to ecclesiastical authorities concerning child abuse by clergy, archdiocesan personnel, or volunteers.  When a cleric, one of the archdiocesan personnel, or a volunteer receives a complaint of child abuse, he/she will communicate it to the Secretary for Ministerial Personnel within twenty-four (24) hours.”

Those who report abuse need not have complete proof or all the facts about the abuse.  Rather, all knowledge of abuse and all reasonable suspicions that abuse has occurred should be reported.  The task of investigating and verifying belongs with the appropriate authorities.

 

5.3.2 What Is Reported

 

The oral and written reports of known or suspected child abuse (preferably made with the assistance of a CAP Team member) should include insofar as possible:

 

·        The names and addresses of the child and his parents or other person responsible for his care;

·        The child’s age and sex;

·        The nature and extent of the child’s abuse or neglect;

·        The circumstances under which the reporter first became aware of the child’s abuse or neglect;

·        Whatever action was taken to treat, shelter, or otherwise assist the child; and

·        The name of the person or persons making the report.

 

Similar information would be required in reports of known or suspected abuse or neglect of the elderly or disabled.

 

5.4 Contact Information for Reporting Abuse

 

Any St. Zepherin CAP Team member may be contacted for assistance in reporting known or suspected child abuse.  Their names and phone numbers are given in the CAP training materials.  The Safe Environment Committee Chairman can assist with reports of abuse of the elderly or disabled.

 

Oral reports of child abuse can also be made directly by calling the Massachusetts Department of Social Services at 1-800-792-5200.

 

If one becomes aware that a person who is now over 18 years of age was abused when they were under 18 years of age, the report of the alleged abuse should be made to the District Attorney’s Office for Middlesex County at 617-679-6500.

 

Abuse of an elderly or disabled person should be reported to the Protective Services Department of Bay Path Home and Community Services at 1-800-287-7284.

 

Emergency reports can also be made by calling the local police:

 

• Wayland Police: 508-358-4721 or 911.

• Natick Police: 508-647-9500 or 911.

 

 

5.5 Responding to Allegations of Abuse by Church Personnel

 

Church personnel accused by anyone of engaging in any form of abuse must report the allegations to the pastor and to the chairman of the Safe Environment Committee.

 

5.5.1 Parish Response to Allegations of Abuse by Church Personnel:  The Safe Environment Committee Chairman will ensure that oral and written reports of alleged abuse by church personnel have been made to the proper civil and Church authorities.  St. Zepherin Parish will advocate with the Department of Social Services and the Archdiocese for the timely and fair resolution of all such charges made against church personnel.

 

5.5.2 Responding to the Media:  Any news media inquiries regarding allegations of child abuse by church personnel should be directed to the Archdiocese of Boston.  The Archdiocese is committed to dealing with alleged incidents of child abuse and/or other forms of sexual misconduct in an open and responsible manner.  At the same time, the Archdiocese respects the strict confidentiality and privacy of all persons involved in such incidents.  If asked to comment personally on allegations of sexual abuse or misconduct against church personnel, parishioners are advised to respond by saying that they are praying for the accused and for the alleged victim and awaiting the results of the investigation of the charges made.

 

 

6. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND REFERENCES

 

This document has benefited from access to The Safe Environment Program written by the Catholic Community of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in the Diocese of Dallas, Texas. We are indebted to their staff and their sources for allowing us to adapt their program for our use and for supporting us in the process. Special thanks go to Jerry Waynant for his advice and encouragement.

 

We are also indebted to:

 

All Saints Church in the Diocese of Dallas for allowing us to use parts of their “Guidelines for Program to Reduce the Risk of Child Abuse.”

 

Massachusetts Citizens for Children, the state chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America, for permission to reproduce some of their materials.

 

Denise Gaulin, for permission to use material from the Ontario Care for Kids program, of which Denise is co-author.

 

Child Abuse Prevention Services, Inc., Lansing, Michigan.

 

STOP IT NOW! for materials used and insights incorporated throughout this document.

 

Office of Volunteer Resources, Archdiocese of Boston, for many significant contributions, including  sample volunteer intake materials.

 

Key references mentioned in the text include:

 

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, Policies and Procedures for the Protection of Children, 2003 (available on the Internet at www.rcab.org.).

 

Massachusetts Department of Social Services, Office of Public Affairs, Child Abuse Hurts Us All, 2002.

 

National Catholic Risk Retention Group, Protecting God’s Children, a training program for adults supported by the Archdiocesan Office of Child Advocacy, Implementation and Oversight and presented by local Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) teams, 2002.

 

  

 

                                        

 

 

 

COPYRIGHT 2003 by St. Zepherin Parish, 99 Main St., Wayland, Massachusetts 01778
All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems without permission in writing from St. Zepherin Parish, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                        Appendix A

 

A Theological Foundation for Providing a Safe Environment

 

Human Sexuality

 

As told in the Book of Genesis, our sexual identity is an intimate part of who we are as beings created by God.  The mystery of what it means to be a human being -- body and soul, spiritual and incarnate, male and female -- is bound up in the very mystery of God, the author of life and the font of love.  Human sexuality is God's creation and we approach any discussion of it with a deep sense of appreciation, wonder, and respect. 

 

Sexuality fully integrated in the human personality fosters human communication and encourages and enriches all human relationships.  The moral and spiritual health of the Church and human society depends on morally and spiritually healthy men and women who have learned to integrate the gift of sexuality with all the other gifts God gives them for the building up of the kingdom.  Moreover, our parishes and other Christian institutions should be places where healthy senses of sexual identity are modeled and encouraged.

 

Sexual abuse and misconduct always result in tragic distortions of sexual identity and human personality.  Perpetrators of sexual misconduct misuse their God-given talents to deceive and harm others and in the process lose touch with the ways a healthy sexuality can foster human communication, enrich relationships, and bring us closer to God.  Victims of sexual misconduct, who are often among the most vulnerable members of society, may become -- at least for a time -- confused and bitter.  They may feel betrayed or they may find it difficult to connect with others.  The fruits of authentic human relationships and a healthy sexuality may become more difficult or seemingly impossible for them to cultivate and enjoy. 

 

When sexual misconduct or abuse takes place during church or church-sponsored activities and events and/or is perpetrated by church personnel, the damage is magnified.  Perpetrators are guilty of the grave sin of blasphemy when they cover their sexual dysfunction, either explicitly or implicitly, with the name of God and the symbols of faith.  For victims, sexual exploitation by church personnel may inflict deep spiritual wounds as the signs and symbols of faith become inextricably linked with the horrors and pain of abuse.   

 

St. Zepherin Parish strives to respond compassionately to all persons who are involved in or who are the victims of sexual abuse.  More importantly, knowing something of the horrors of sexual misconduct and abuse, especially when perpetrated by church personnel, we are committed to providing an environment that is as free as we can possibly make it from the risks of sexual abuse and misconduct. 

 

Human Relationships

 

God is a relational God.  God is the Trinity of Persons, Father-Son-Spirit, existing in relationship to one another and to the world of God's creation.

 

As beings created in the image and likeness of God, we are relational, social beings.  Just as relationship lies at the heart of the Trinity, relationships lie at the center of the human heart. Our healthy growth and development as persons is always shaped by the ways we stand in relationship to God, others, and self.  Moreover, Christian faith communities provide a place where we can be nurtured in our relationship with God and enabled to relate more fully to others as beings made in the image and likeness of God.

 

Sometimes human relationships become distorted or dysfunctional.  Instead of providing mutual support and fostering the growth of all persons involved, destructive relationships may develop that involve exploitation, the malformation of human personality, and the misuse of God-given talents.  Sexually abusive relationships are among the most destructive of dysfunctional relationships because they affect the deepest and most intimate dimensions of the ways a person relates to others. 

 

To the extent that unhealthy, dysfunctional relationships affect a parish faith community, the life of the parish is diminished.  Dysfunctional relationships can only hinder abilities to nurture genuine faith.  Moreover, if church personnel enter into dysfunctional relationships with members of the parish and these destructive relationships involve sexual abuse or misconduct, great damage is done.  Such dysfunctional relationships may damage severely a parish's ability to witness to the life-giving relationship of God to humankind through the words and deeds of the followers of Jesus and the continuing presence (relationship) of the Spirit with the world.    

 

St. Zepherin Parish is committed to promoting fullness of life, for both the here and the hereafter.  We are committed to nurturing life-giving and life-sustaining relationships.  At the same time, we are realistically aware of the dangers of dysfunctional relationships.  Consequently, through these Safe Environment Policies and Procedures we have taken precautions that we believe are necessary to guard against destructive and, most especially, sexually abusive relationships.

 

 

 

Appendix B

 

Code of Pastoral Conduct for Church Personnel

 

I COMMIT myself to respecting and protecting the inherent human dignity of each of the people with whom I have the privilege to work. I will strive to treat all with the respect due children of God.

 

I COMMIT myself to serving as a role model for children and youth, demonstrating a life motivated by Christian values and affirming the faith of the Catholic Church.

 

I COMMIT myself to interacting with children, youth, the elderly and disabled, and those seeking counseling in a manner that is supportive and positive, helps each person to recognize what is good within her or himself, and encourages the person to accept others with the respect due to children of God.

 

THEREFORE I SHALL

      A.  Not discipline a child or youth using physical force or corporal punishment.

      B.  Not encourage or permit bullying of one person by another.

      C.  Not verbally abuse or deride.

      D.  Not raise my voice inappropriately or use language that is demeaning, crude, or derisive.

 

I COMMIT myself to affirming the Church's teaching on the dignity of human sexuality and its expression in human relationships.

 

THEREFORE I SHALL

A.     Not touch inappropriately or in a sexual manner.

B.     Not make any sexual comments using innuendo, jokes, inference, or solicitations.

C.     Not act in a fashion which could reasonably be interpreted by anyone to be a sexual                              advance or threat.

D.     Not demean the beauty and holiness of human sexuality, marriage or human physical and sexual interaction

E.      Not forget the vulnerability of young people to misinterpreting sexual information or references.

 

I COMMIT myself to building up this community as a sign of God's presence and God's Kingdom in which all may feel secure and valued.

 

THEREFORE I SHALL

A.     Adhere to the Two-Adult Rule in all applicable cases.

B.     Adhere to the accountability requirements, the supervision and safety procedures, the behavioral guidelines, and the pastoral standards outlined in this document.

C.     Never fail to keep the safety of children, youth, and at-risk adults as a priority in all situations.

D.     Never break the confidence and trust of a particular child, youth, or at-risk adult except where the health or safety of the person is seriously threatened.

 

 

 

Appendix C

 

 DISCLOSURE OF ABUSE

 

Children may disclose abuse in a variety of ways. They may come to you in private, and tell you directly and specifically what is going on: unfortunately, this is one of the less common ways for children to disclose. More common ways include:

 

Indirect Hints: "My brother wouldn't let me sleep last night." "Mr. Jones wears funny underwear." "Daddy doesn't like me." "My babysitter keeps bothering me." A child may talk in these terms because she/he hasn't learned more specific vocabulary, feels too ashamed or embarrassed to talk more directly, has promised not to tell, or for a combination of these reasons. Gently encourage the child to be more specific, within the limits of her/his vocabulary, but bear in mind that in order to make a report you do not need to know exactly what form the abuse has taken.

 

Disguised Disclosure:  “I know someone who is being touched in a bad way.”  “What would happen if a girl told her mother she was being molested but her mother doesn't believe her?”  Here the child might be talking about a friend or sibling, but is just as likely to be talking about her/himself. Encourage the child to tell you what she knows about the “other child,” it is probable that the child will eventually tell you whom they are talking about.

 

Disclosure with Strings Attached:  “I have a problem, but if I tell you about it you have to promise not to tell anyone else.” Most children are all too aware that some negative consequences will result if they break the secret of abuse; often the offender uses the threat of these negative consequences to discourage the child from disclosing to anyone that the abuse occurred.  However, just as the abuse itself is against the law, so too it would be against the law for you not to report the abuse.  Assure the child you will respect her/his need for confidentiality by not discussing the abuse with anyone other than those directly involved with the legal process, who might include the school nurse or counselor, school principal, and/or the Department of Social Services investigator.

 

Some suggestions for responding to disclosure:

 

*    Find a quiet (though not secluded) place to talk with the child.

*    Do not panic or express shock.

*    Express your belief that the child is telling the truth.

*    Use the child's vocabulary.

*    Reassure the child that it is good to tell.

*    Reassure the child that it is not her/his fault, that she/he is not bad.

*    Determine the child's immediate need for safety.

*    Let the child know that you will do your best to protect and support him/her.

*    As appropriate, let the child know what you will do.

*    Report to the Massachusetts Department of Social Services.

 

If the child discloses during a lesson or activity where other children are involved, acknowledge the child's disclosure and continue the lesson/activity.  Afterwards, talk with the child in the presence (or at least within sight) of another cleared adult.

 

 

Remember that your role is not to investigate the situation. It is your responsibility to report the abuse, set in motion the process of getting help for the child, and be supportive of the child.