Building a Framework for Youth Protection
In June 2011, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops approved a revised Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The revised Charter modified the definsition of sexual abuse of a minor to include:
1) those persons who habitually lack the use of reason and
2) the acquisition, possession, or distribution by a cleric of pornographic images of minors under the age of eighteen,
for purposes of sexual gratification, by whatever means or using whatever technology.
The charter addresses the Church's commitment to deal appropriately and effectively with cases of sexual abuse of minors by priests, deacons, and other church personnel (i.e., employees and volunteers). Therefore, to ensure that each diocese/eparchy in the United States of America will have procedures in place to respond promptly to all allegations of sexual abuse of minors, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops decreed Essential Norms for diocesan/eparchial policies dealing with allegations of sexual abuse of minors by diocesan and religious priests or deacons.
In June of 2012, the National Review Board released a report to bishops and the faithful to highlight both what has been done and what still needs to be done to protect children and restore trust. The report is titled, A Ten Year Progress Report.
The Diocese of Evansville has been working with parents, civil authorities, educators, and various organizations in the community to make and maintain the safest environment for minors. The vision for our diocese is one wherein:
- youth are recognized and valued by all as true gifts from God;
- education and training to recognize the signs of violation of children and young people is provided to all paid staff members,
those volunteers engaged in ministry to and for children, and parents; (see training dates below)
- education is provided for children about the potential for abuse, especially sexual abuse, and ways to respond should they be
victims of it; (safe environment curriculum for schools; curriculum for religious education)
- all paid staff and those volunteers who have regular contact with children are evaluated to determine their suitability for
association with children and young people;
- paid staff and volunteers accept responsibility to report immediately any suspected acts of abuse of children and young people
in their charge to appropriate civil and church authorities without concern for retribution from the accused or
employers/institution in whose name they minister;
- all who are willing to engage in ministry to children and young people as representative of the Catholic Diocese of Evansville are
also willing to agree to background checks and educational programs designed to stem this heinous crime against children and
young people;
- the Catholic Diocese of Evansville will expend resources, both in personnel and finances, necessary to fulfill this vision and to
maintain such programs appropriate to accomplish this vision;
- the primary components of a framework to accomplish this task include the items listed below:
Our framework is another step in the ongoing efforts to protect young people in the Diocese of Evansville. In 1995 the following two documents were promulgated: Policy for Handling Accusations of Abuse, and Guidelines for Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse.
In August of 2002, Policies and Procedures Regarding Clerical Sexual Misconduct with Minors was promulgated in accord with the Essential Norms of the Charter. This policy provided for the establishment of a Review Board, a Review Administrator/Victim Assistance Coordinator, and a Promoter of Justice. On August 20, 2003, Policies and Procedures Regarding Sexual Misconduct with Minors was promulgated. This policy expanded the 2002 policy to include all diocesan personnel, not just clergy. The term diocesan personnel is defined in the document as all ordained and non-ordained ministers, employees, and volunteers who provide services, paid or unpaid, for the Diocese or any of its entities.
The members of the Review Board are:
Mrs. Shawn Eickhoff, Chairperson
Mrs. Charlene Bitter
Mrs. Bonnie Graham
Rev. David Nunning
Mrs. Lisa Provost
Mr. Thomas Wedding
The diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator is Tom Wannemuehler, LCSW and the Promoter of Justice is Very Rev. Kenneth Walker, Judicial Vicar. Vice-Chancellor Mike Roesch serves as diocesan Safe Environment Coordinator.
Background Checks
In 1997 the Catholic Schools Office began conducting criminal background checks for all newly hired administrators and teachers. Following the establishment of the Charter in 2002, ALL paid employees and those volunteers who have regular contact with youth are required to submit to background checks. Currently, over 17,000 employees and volunteers, including the bishop, all priests, deacons, and seminarians have submitted to a criminal history check.
1) those persons who habitually lack the use of reason and
2) the acquisition, possession, or distribution by a cleric of pornographic images of minors under the age of eighteen,
for purposes of sexual gratification, by whatever means or using whatever technology.
The charter addresses the Church's commitment to deal appropriately and effectively with cases of sexual abuse of minors by priests, deacons, and other church personnel (i.e., employees and volunteers). Therefore, to ensure that each diocese/eparchy in the United States of America will have procedures in place to respond promptly to all allegations of sexual abuse of minors, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops decreed Essential Norms for diocesan/eparchial policies dealing with allegations of sexual abuse of minors by diocesan and religious priests or deacons.
In June of 2012, the National Review Board released a report to bishops and the faithful to highlight both what has been done and what still needs to be done to protect children and restore trust. The report is titled, A Ten Year Progress Report.
The Diocese of Evansville has been working with parents, civil authorities, educators, and various organizations in the community to make and maintain the safest environment for minors. The vision for our diocese is one wherein:
- youth are recognized and valued by all as true gifts from God;
- education and training to recognize the signs of violation of children and young people is provided to all paid staff members,
those volunteers engaged in ministry to and for children, and parents; (see training dates below)
- education is provided for children about the potential for abuse, especially sexual abuse, and ways to respond should they be
victims of it; (safe environment curriculum for schools; curriculum for religious education)
- all paid staff and those volunteers who have regular contact with children are evaluated to determine their suitability for
association with children and young people;
- paid staff and volunteers accept responsibility to report immediately any suspected acts of abuse of children and young people
in their charge to appropriate civil and church authorities without concern for retribution from the accused or
employers/institution in whose name they minister;
- all who are willing to engage in ministry to children and young people as representative of the Catholic Diocese of Evansville are
also willing to agree to background checks and educational programs designed to stem this heinous crime against children and
young people;
- the Catholic Diocese of Evansville will expend resources, both in personnel and finances, necessary to fulfill this vision and to
maintain such programs appropriate to accomplish this vision;
- the primary components of a framework to accomplish this task include the items listed below:
- Diocesan Policies
- Best Practices for Adults working with Children and Young People
- Directives for Supervisors engaged in ministry to Children and Young People
- Curriculum and Resources for Education on Personal Safety for Children, Young People, Families and Ministers
- Criminal background checks on all paid staff and those volunteers who have regular contact with children or youth
- Diocesan Background Check Policy form (volunteers & parish employees)
- Release Form (volunteers & parish employees)
- School employee and substitute teacher applicants - click here to complete application
Our framework is another step in the ongoing efforts to protect young people in the Diocese of Evansville. In 1995 the following two documents were promulgated: Policy for Handling Accusations of Abuse, and Guidelines for Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse.
In August of 2002, Policies and Procedures Regarding Clerical Sexual Misconduct with Minors was promulgated in accord with the Essential Norms of the Charter. This policy provided for the establishment of a Review Board, a Review Administrator/Victim Assistance Coordinator, and a Promoter of Justice. On August 20, 2003, Policies and Procedures Regarding Sexual Misconduct with Minors was promulgated. This policy expanded the 2002 policy to include all diocesan personnel, not just clergy. The term diocesan personnel is defined in the document as all ordained and non-ordained ministers, employees, and volunteers who provide services, paid or unpaid, for the Diocese or any of its entities.
The members of the Review Board are:
Mrs. Shawn Eickhoff, Chairperson
Mrs. Charlene Bitter
Mrs. Bonnie Graham
Rev. David Nunning
Mrs. Lisa Provost
Mr. Thomas Wedding
The diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator is Tom Wannemuehler, LCSW and the Promoter of Justice is Very Rev. Kenneth Walker, Judicial Vicar. Vice-Chancellor Mike Roesch serves as diocesan Safe Environment Coordinator.
Background Checks
In 1997 the Catholic Schools Office began conducting criminal background checks for all newly hired administrators and teachers. Following the establishment of the Charter in 2002, ALL paid employees and those volunteers who have regular contact with youth are required to submit to background checks. Currently, over 17,000 employees and volunteers, including the bishop, all priests, deacons, and seminarians have submitted to a criminal history check.
Scheduled Training Dates on Safe Environment Program:
(Please contact the parish/school to register so they will have enough materials prepared.)
Annunciation, Evansville
August 15, 6:30 p.m.
August 20, 10:00 a.m.
To register, you may call the Parish Center Office at 812-476-3061or email Julie Rosario at jrosario@evdio.org
(Please contact the parish/school to register so they will have enough materials prepared.)
Annunciation, Evansville
August 15, 6:30 p.m.
August 20, 10:00 a.m.
To register, you may call the Parish Center Office at 812-476-3061or email Julie Rosario at jrosario@evdio.org
Training Resources
Information Video from the USCCB
Faith and Safety
Netsmartz
Be Here for Kids
KidSmartz
NSTeens
Youth Protection Training for Adults:
Powerpoint Presentation Option 1 ("What is Child Abuse?")
Powerpoint Presentation Option 2 ("Jesus loves the Little Children")
Youth Protection Training for Children and Youth:
Good Touch, Bad Touch
Bullying
Healthy Choices
Information Video from the USCCB
Faith and Safety
Netsmartz
Be Here for Kids
KidSmartz
NSTeens
Youth Protection Training for Adults:
Powerpoint Presentation Option 1 ("What is Child Abuse?")
Powerpoint Presentation Option 2 ("Jesus loves the Little Children")
Youth Protection Training for Children and Youth:
Good Touch, Bad Touch
Bullying
Healthy Choices
