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Safe Environment and Victim Assistance Programs

 
Background

The Charter for the Protection of Children and Youth requires that Dioceses / Eparchies establish “safe environment” programs. Article 12 of the Charter states: “Dioceses / Eparchies will establish ‘safe environment’ programs. They will cooperate with parents, civil authorities, educators, and community organizations to provide education and training for children, youth, parents, ministers, educators, and others about ways to make and maintain a safe environment for children. Dioceses / Eparchies will make clear to clergy and members of the community the standards of conduct for clergy and other persons in positions of trust with regard to sexual abuse.” In addition, Article 13 states: “Dioceses / Eparchies will evaluate the background of all diocesan / eparchial and parish personnel who have regular contact with minors. Specifically, they will utilize the resources of law enforcement and other community agencies.”

Mandatory Components

The following are mandatory components required of parishes in the Diocese of San Jose’s Safe Environment Protect the Children.

  1. Background Investigation for Employees and Volunteers
    1. Livescan fingerprint processed and cleared
    2. Megan’s Law screening
  2. Safe Environment Training – Adults
    1. Available in English or Spanish
    2. Live training for new employees and volunteers
    3. Online training www.shieldthevulnerable.org for 3 year renewals
    4. Adult Code of Conduct
  3. Safe Environment Training – Youth
    1. Choose specific curriculum from Diocesan approved curriculum choices
      1. YWCA Child Assault Prevention (CAP)
      2. YWCA Teen Assault Prevention (TAP)
      3. Community Solutions CAP and TAP
      4. radKids program through ChildQuest or St. Clare School
      5. Virtus Protecting God’s Children
    2. Provide a written request to the Office for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults to use alternate curriculum which meets the protocol for Safe Environment training set by the USCCB Office for Protection of Youth.
    3. If parents or guardians choose not to have their child participate in the safe environment training, the parish must maintain documentation relating to that refusal. Parents/guardians must be given a form to sign that indicates they have been offered the safe environment training, that they decline to have their child participate in such training and that the parish has offered to provide safe environment training materials for the parents/guardians to utilize.
    4. Youth Code of Conduct
  4. Victim Outreach
    1. An understanding of policies and procedures to respond promptly to allegations of child abuse including child sexual abuse and domestic violence.
    2. Information regarding procedures and contact numbers to law enforcement, child protection and the diocesan Office for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults.
  5. Documentation
    1. Parishes are to have available or have access to: Parish bulletin notice that gives contact information for the Office for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults, Diocese of San Jose available to parishioners; Written diocesan sexual abuse policy that details the content and activities of the outreach program; explains the composition, conduct and responsibilities of the review board; outlines the process for reporting allegations, as well as treatment of victims/survivors and alleged offending clerics; describes the diocesan communication policy; specifics on whom and how background investigations are conducted; and includes the codes of conduct and safe environment training for all applicable individuals having regular contact with children and youth. If applicable, documentation of contact with Child Abuse Neglect (CAN) or Child Protective Services (CPS); incident reports SS 8583 forms available.