Diocese of San José Safe Environment Requirements

As a Diocese, all of us work meticulously year-round to uphold our unwavering commitment to ensure a safe environment for both children and those who are vulnerable within our local Church. To affirm this united goal of a safe environment within our own Diocese, we bind ourselves to the practical measures outlined within USCCB’s Dallas Charter as a foundation for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. The Charter is the cornerstone of the Churches framework for accountability through reconciliation and healing with individuals, and the families of those individuals, who have been harmed by Church personnel, both clergy and lay. The Charter also establishes safety standards for those serving in ministry with youth or vulnerable adults, such as required safe environment training and background checks.

Research and the Church’s own experience has proven that abuse can be prevented. The number of reported cases of sexual abuse has decreased over the last twenty years since the adoption of the Dallas Charter and the Essential Norms promulgated in 2002. Sadly, the harmful effects of the abuse already perpetrated continues to be experienced by victims, survivors and the faithful.

In recognizing the power of prevention, we are reminded that the healing journey for sexual abuse victim/survivors, and their families, is a long and arduous one. The abuse of our most vulnerable is contrary to our faith in Jesus Christ, and to the teachings of the Church. Each of us, as members of our Catholic community, can contribute to their healing by remembering all those impacted by sexual abuse in our prayers.

Through these loving actions, including a comprehensive set of procedures for addressing allegations of sexual abuse and preventing future acts of abuse, the Diocese of San José walks in lockstep with the immensely important work the Church in the United States vigorously carries out in support of our unified commitment to uphold the Dallas Charter. To this end, these safeguards are audited annually by the USCCB to ensure the highest level of ongoing accountability.

All clergy and diocesan personnel, as well as adult volunteers – 18 years-old or older – who serve in any capacity with children or vulnerable adults, must complete the following requirements:

1) All personnel, including clergy and volunteers, must submit the proper background screening and clear the criminal history check prior to engaging in ministry or employment. Employees and clergy must submit a Live Scan Fingerprint submission through the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Volunteers must submit the proper background screening suitable for the ministry or institution they are applying to serve, which may require Live Scan Fingerprinting or Online Background Check. Volunteers screened through the use of the Online Background Check are prohibited from serving in direct and/or ongoing roles with minors and/or vulnerable adults and must serve under the direct supervision of a supervisor in full compliance with Live Scan fingerprinting, Safe Environment training and in “good standing” with the Diocese. Volunteers screened through the use of an Online Background Check are prohibited from serving in “Privileged Positions of Trust” with youth and/or vulnerable adults. As such, all school volunteers must be fingerprint through the California Department of Justice’s Live Scan process.For additional information, please visit the Diocesan website at https://www.dsj.org/protecting-gods-children/opcva-conduct-and-policy/.

2) All personnel, including clergy and volunteers, must complete the appropriate Diocesan Safe Environment training course to learn how to recognize and report abuse or misconduct prior to engaging in ministry or employment. Thereafter, Diocesan Safe Environment training must be renewed every three (3) years. Training is available exclusively via the VIRTUS online learning management system (www.virtusonline.org). The training is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Korean. Registration Instructions: English & Spanish | Instructions for Accessing Certificate of Completion | Instructions for Re-Certification.

3) All personnel, including clergy and volunteers, must understand their reporting responsibilities as it pertains not only to Diocesan policy, but also with regard to one’s mandated and ethical reporting requirements.

Beyond the Church’s call to action, there are state requirements that must be upheld as well. Under California State law, all parish and school personnel, including clergy, are Mandated Reporters and are required by California law to report any reasonable suspicion of child abuse, sexual or otherwise, to civil authorities. Failure to report a reasonable suspicion of child abuse or neglect is considered a misdemeanor and is punishable in California by six months in jail and/or up to a $1,000 fine. Additionally, adult volunteers are considered Ethical Reporters. It is the responsibility of Ethical Reporters to report any suspicions of abuse to a diocesan staff member on-site, who is then responsible for reporting the incident to the appropriate authorities immediately (or as soon as practically possible within 24 hours). However, anyone who has reason to believe or suspects that a child has been or is being abused should report their suspicions to civil authorities.

Youth also play a vital role in safety and prevention. Students in our Catholic Schools and Catechetical Programs participate in a VIRTUS Catholic Safe Environment Curriculum lesson every year which is founded on the principles of appropriate relationship boundaries in the broader context of Christian values. All lessons are age-appropriate and empower children to begin to recognize inappropriate behaviors and tell a safe adult.  Parents are encouraged to continue the conversation at home and can find helpful resources and lesson plans on the dioceses’ website at https://www.dsj.org/protecting-gods-children/virtus-resources-for-teachers-catechist/.

As always, please feel free to call our office at 408-983-0113 without hesitation to address any questions or concerns. If you would like to volunteer at a parish or school and are not yet compliant with diocesan requirements, please take a moment to contact your site’s volunteer coordinator to begin the process.

The Office for the Protection of Children & Vulnerable Adults thanks you, our Catholic community, for your continued partnership in maintaining a safe environment for all. Please be assured of our continued prayers for you and your family as we ask for God’s Grace in our determination to protect our youth and most vulnerable.

The Diocese of San José strictly adheres to a zero-tolerance policy and promptly notifies law enforcement and child protective services when abuse is reported, in accordance with mandated reporter laws. If an adult victim/survivor is looking to report a case of Clergy Abuse or sexual abuse involving Church personnel, we encourage them to first contact their local civil authorities (law enforcement). Once a report is filed with the local civil authorities, individuals are encouraged to contact the diocesan Office for the Protection of Children & Vulnerable Adults at (408) 983-0113. All reports are confidential to protect the rights of the victim. Reports to the Diocese are accepted by either online submission or by phone. For online submission, please use the following URL to access our secure third-party reporting server designated for this purpose: https://opcva.ethicspoint.com or contact our toll-free 24-hour reporting hotline at 844-372-1691.

SEPTEMBER 2024