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Protecting Children and Young People: Safe Environment Guidelines

Table of Contents
  • FOREWORD
  • OVERVIEW
  • PROCESSING REPORTS OF POTENTIAL ABUSE
    • THE REPORTING LAW
    • MAKING A REPORT
    • DETECTION OF CHILD ABUSE
    • CHART: WHOM TO CALL IF YOU SUSPECT CHILD ABUSE
  • TRAINING AND EDUCATION
  • EVALUATION OF BACKGROUNDS
  • PARISH AND SCHOOL COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST
  • DATABASE MAINTENANCE & REPORTING
  • AUDIT

FOREWORD #

This manual is part of an on-going effort to provide instructions to parishes, schools, and agencies relative to the implementation of the Bishops Charter on Protecting Children and Young People, “Promise to Protect; Pledge to Heal”, written in 2002 (updated in 2005, in 2010 and again in 2018) in response to the sex abuse crisis in the Church.

Pastors are responsible for the creation of a Safe Environment in the parish, the school (if the parish has one) and any activity involving young people that is related to parish or parochial school activity, (e.g., athletic team activities). The principals of Archdiocesan elementary schools will cooperate fully with the pastors and be directed by the pastors in the provision of a Safe Environment. The principals of the four Archdiocesan high schools and of schools not affiliated with a parish (currently Saint Thomas More and Saint Brigid elementary schools) are accountable for the Safe Environment program at their respective school, and will be guided by the Department of Catholic Schools. The athletic leagues oversee activities deriving their volunteer support from members of the parish and school communities, and the relevant pastors and principals, as applicable, remain responsible for the creation of a Safe Environment Program within which the athletic leagues operate.

Other agencies are the responsibility of their designated leader.

Please read and use this manual. Forward any comment or suggestion for revision to:

ARCHDIOCESE OF SAN FRANCISCO
OFFICE OF CHILD AND YOUTH PROTECTION
ONE PETER YORKE WAY
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109

OVERVIEW #

In 2002, in response to reports regarding the sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy, the bishops of the United States promulgated the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People entitled “Promise to Protect; Pledge to Heal.” This document is a statement of commitment on the part of our bishops and our Church to continue and strengthen efforts to eradicate such abuse from the Church and preserve an environment that is vigilant to such abuse. The bishops obligated themselves and their dioceses to full implementation of the provisions of this document.

The Charter describes how the Church will address existing and future claims so as to provide rapid and fair response to victims while protecting the rights of the accused. It assures all that the Church will cooperate with civil authority in every case.

The Charter also defines actions to be taken by each diocese to create a safe environment in our parishes, schools, and other Church-sponsored institutions so that families can be assured that their children are safe when placed in our care. This Safe Environment is achieved by:

  • Ensuring all adults are provided minimum standards of conduct for interaction with minors;
  • Instructing each child in ways to keep themselves safe;
  • Training adult employees and volunteers (parish, school, or other institutions) on how to recognize abuse, how to report it to civil authority and to the Church, and how to prevent it;
  • Evaluating the background of adult employees or volunteers who have “on-going, unsupervised contact with minors” on behalf of the Church prior to their being granted that contact. We use two forms of background evaluation, finger printing via Live Scan, and demographic data-based background checking, depending on the level and nature of contact with minors

It is the policy of the ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF SAN FRANCISCO that all those who work or volunteer in a parish, school, or agency will promote and maintain a safe, mutually respectful and appropriate ministerial relationship with all persons served and those who serve.

It is the policy of the Archdiocese that everyone should report suspected child abuse and neglect.

PROCESSING REPORTS OF POTENTIAL ABUSE #

“Dioceses/eparchies are to report an allegation of sexual abuse of a person who is a minor to the public authorities with due regard for the seal of the Sacrament of Penance. Dioceses/eparchies are to comply with all applicable civil laws with respect to the reporting of allegations of sexual abuse of minors to civil authorities and cooperate in their investigation in accord with the law of the jurisdiction in question.

Dioceses/eparchies are to cooperate with public authorities about reporting cases even when the person is no longer a minor.

In every instance, dioceses/eparchies are to advise victims of their right to make a report to public authorities and support this right.”

THE REPORTING LAW #

As noted above, it is the policy of the Archdiocese of San Francisco that everyone should report suspected child abuse and neglect. In addition, Article 2.5 of the State of California Penal Code provides that it is a crime for certain individuals (called mandatory reporters) who have contact with and supervision of children (e.g., school, parish and agency teachers and administrators, coaches, etc.) not to report suspected abuse to the proper authorities. These reports are to be made to Child Protective Services in instances where the alleged victim and alleged abuser share the same household and to a