Safe Environment Program
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CONTACT INFORMATION
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Diocese of Evansville Victim Assistance Line (Spanish Available)
812-490-9565 866-200-3004 (toll free) Eric Girten Vice-Chancellor/Safe Environment Coordinator 812-424-5536 [email protected] Sylvia Groves Victim Assistance Coordinator 812-215-6962 |
Indiana Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline
800-800-5556 Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting Service 800-276-1562 ReportBishopAbuse.org Local Law Enforcement 9-1-1 Adult Protective Services State Hotline 800-992-6978 |
REPORTING PROCESS
Indiana is a mandatory report state, meaning you are required by law to report cases of suspected neglect, battery or exploitation. All reports are confidential.
- If you suspect the abuse or neglect of a minor, contact the Indiana Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline number above
- If you suspect the abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult, contact the Indiana Dept. of Adult Services number above
- If you believe a minor or vulnerable adult is in immediate danger, contact local law enforcement at the number above.
- If the sexual abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult involves a priest, deacon, candidate for ordination, pastoral minister, administrator, staff person or volunteer of the Diocese of Evansville, also contact the Victim Assistance Line at the number above or by sending an email (below) to the Diocese of Evansville Safe Environment Coordinator.
VOLUNTEERS/MINISTERS
For more information on how to become Safe Environment trained or how to submit your background check (both are required before beginning your volunteerism/ministry), please contact the diocesan Safe Environment Coordinator here.
We also wish to take this opportunity to THANK YOU for your patience and willingness to take these additional steps to ensure that our parishes and schools are safe environments in which our children and families can truly experience the love and mercy of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
DIOCESE OF EVANSVILLE FRAMEWORK FOR YOUTH PROTECTION
OVERVIEW AND VISION
The Diocese of Evansville works 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:
The Diocese of Evansville works 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
- Safe environment training is mandatory for all clergy, employees, candidates for ordination, and volunteers that have regular contact with minors
- All clergy, employees, candidates for ordination, and volunteers who have regular contact with children are evaluated to determine their suitability for association with minors
- All clergy, employees, candidates for ordination, and volunteers accept responsibility to report immediately any suspected acts of abuse or neglect of minors 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 minors as representatives of the Catholic Diocese of Evansville are also willing to agree to background checks and training programs designed to stem this heinous crime against children and young people
- Age-appropriate training is provided for children/youth in regard to personal safety
- 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
- At the Diocesan level, this work will be guided by the Safe Environment Coordinator
- At the Parish/School levels, this work will be guided by the Youth Protection Coordinator and Administrator.
- The Diocese will provide a Victim Assistance Coordinator to support victims and their families
CHARTER FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (the Charter) is a comprehensive set of procedures established by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in June 2002 for addressing allegations of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy. The Charter also includes guidelines for reconciliation, healing, accountability, and prevention of future acts of abuse. It was revised in 2005, 2011 and 2018.
A Statement of Episcopal Commitment and the Essential Norms are in the same booklet as the Charter but are not part of the Charter itself.
A Statement of Episcopal Commitment and the Essential Norms are in the same booklet as the Charter but are not part of the Charter itself.
POLICY
The Diocese of Evansville strives to maintain a robust network of policy and procedure to ensure a safe environment for our families. A guiding document for this work is the Allegations Against Clergy Policy.
SAFE ENVIRONMENT FORMS
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EDUCATION AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN
Education is the key element of the Safe Environment program. All clergy, employees, contracted school personnel and volunteers over the age of 18, who work in any capacity with or around children, the elderly, and adults with special needs are required to complete the Diocesan Safe Environment Online Training. All individuals listed above must submit to a criminal background check before they may begin employment or volunteer with ministries, groups, movements, and organizations.
CMG connect is a web-based platform that will assist us to ensure that all employees and volunteers who are in a position of trust with children and vulnerable adults within our schools and parishes are trained to recognize behavior patterns of potential abusers and provide pro-active measures for preventing abuse in any context. Safe Haven-It’s Up to You is a three-part video which provides vignettes of real-life situations to educate the viewer about methods of grooming, desensitization, bullying, and neglect, all of which can lead to abuse. Each part of the video is immediately followed by a brief questionnaire to further develop understanding. In addition, all individuals listed above must complete the mandatory online refresher training each year upon the year anniversary of the prior training and submit a new background check every 5 years as a condition of continued ministry and/or continued employment in the Diocese of Evansville.
Circle of Grace is a children's safety curriculum created by the Archdiocese of Omaha and utilized by the Diocese of Evansville "to educate and empower children and young people to actively participate in a safe environment for themselves and others".
CMG connect is a web-based platform that will assist us to ensure that all employees and volunteers who are in a position of trust with children and vulnerable adults within our schools and parishes are trained to recognize behavior patterns of potential abusers and provide pro-active measures for preventing abuse in any context. Safe Haven-It’s Up to You is a three-part video which provides vignettes of real-life situations to educate the viewer about methods of grooming, desensitization, bullying, and neglect, all of which can lead to abuse. Each part of the video is immediately followed by a brief questionnaire to further develop understanding. In addition, all individuals listed above must complete the mandatory online refresher training each year upon the year anniversary of the prior training and submit a new background check every 5 years as a condition of continued ministry and/or continued employment in the Diocese of Evansville.
Circle of Grace is a children's safety curriculum created by the Archdiocese of Omaha and utilized by the Diocese of Evansville "to educate and empower children and young people to actively participate in a safe environment for themselves and others".
ACCOUNTABILITY
All parishes and schools in the Diocese of Evansville are to be in compliance with the Charter. The Diocese of Evansville is audited to confirm its compliance with the requirements of the Charter. Parishes and schools are required to report compliance information to the diocesan Safe Environment Program, so that necessary information can be presented to auditors on an annual basis. Every three years, auditors perform an onsite audit that includes documents review, interviews and parish/school visits.
AUDIT COMPLIANCE LETTER, 2021
AUDIT PARTICIPATION LETTER, 2022
AUDIT PARTICIPATION LETTER, 2023
AUDIT COMPLIANCE LETTER, 2024
AUDIT COMPLIANCE LETTER, 2021
AUDIT PARTICIPATION LETTER, 2022
AUDIT PARTICIPATION LETTER, 2023
AUDIT COMPLIANCE LETTER, 2024
DIOCESAN REVIEW BOARD
The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People stipulates that each bishop must establish a review board to function as a confidential, consultative body to the bishop on matters related to the response of the local church to issues surrounding the sexual abuse of minors by priests and deacons. The review board, established by the bishop, will be composed of at least five persons of outstanding integrity and good judgement in full communion with the Church. The majority of the review board members will be lay persons who are not in the employ of the diocese; but at least one member should be a priest who is an experienced and respected pastor of the diocese, and at least one member should have particular expertise in the treatment of the sexual abuse of minors. In every case that an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor by a cleric is presented to the diocese, the matter shall be brought to the attention of the diocesan review board.
Diocesan Review Board members are:
A Diocesan Review Board Resource Booklet is available here.
Diocesan Review Board members are:
- Dominic Faraone, Ph.D., Chairperson
- Craig Jordan, Vice-Chairperson
- Lisa Provost, M.S.
- Rev. David Nunning
- Julie Bassler
- Daniel Tuley, J.D.
- Gene Schadler, LCSW
A Diocesan Review Board Resource Booklet is available here.
CATHOLIC BISHOP ABUSE REPORTING SERVICE
Catholic dioceses in the United States have established a third-party reporting system to gather and relay reports of sexual misconduct involving bishops of the United States, and reports of their intentional interference in a sexual abuse investigation.
The Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting Service contact information is at the top of this page. (En Espanol).
FAQ
The Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting Service contact information is at the top of this page. (En Espanol).
FAQ
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES IN SPANISH
1. Report and Inform Policy in Spanish: REGLAMENTO DIOCESANO DE INFORMAR Y DENUNCIAR
2. Diocese of Evansville Policies and Procedures regarding Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Clergy in Spanish: REGLAMENTOS Y PROCEDIMIENTOS SOBRE ALEGATOS DE ABUSO SEXUAL DE MENORES DE EDAD POR PARTE DEL CLERO
3. Best Practices for Pastoral Conduct in Spanish: MEJORES PRACTICAS PARA LA CONDUCTA PASTORAL CON LOS MENORES DE EDAD
4. Best Practices for Adults who work with Minors in Spanish: MEJORES PRACTICAS PARA ADULTOS QUE TRABAJAN CON MENORES DE EDAD
2. Diocese of Evansville Policies and Procedures regarding Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Clergy in Spanish: REGLAMENTOS Y PROCEDIMIENTOS SOBRE ALEGATOS DE ABUSO SEXUAL DE MENORES DE EDAD POR PARTE DEL CLERO
3. Best Practices for Pastoral Conduct in Spanish: MEJORES PRACTICAS PARA LA CONDUCTA PASTORAL CON LOS MENORES DE EDAD
4. Best Practices for Adults who work with Minors in Spanish: MEJORES PRACTICAS PARA ADULTOS QUE TRABAJAN CON MENORES DE EDAD
TRANSPARENCY
APRIL IS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH
Every April, child and youth serving organizations including Catholic dioceses, participate in National Child Abuse Prevention Month to highlight the importance of protecting minors from abuse. Resources, including a Diocesan Resource and Rosary Booklets for healing and protection, are available here.
POPE FRANCIS' Motu Proprio, Vos estis lux mundi
("You are the light of the world")
("You are the light of the world")
In May 2019, Pope Francis released the Motu Proprio Vos estis lux mundi ("You are the light of the world"), which ordered a worldwide response to the evil of sexual abuse. It calls for the establishment of easily accessible reporting systems, clear standards for the pastoral support of victims and their families, timeliness and thoroughness of investigations, whistleblower protection for those making allegations, and active involvement of the laity.
In June 2019, the U.S. Catholic Bishops approved three additional measures to address abuse and bishop accountability. The measures expand upon Pope Francis' Motu Proprio and the U.S. Bishops' Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The reforms are designed to hold bishops accountable for instances of sexual misconduct against minors and vulnerable adults.
1. POPE FRANCIS MOTU PROPRIO VOS ESTIS LUX MUNDI
2. PROTOCOL REGARDING AVAILABLE NON-PENAL RESTRICTIONS ON BISHOPS
This form of accountability provides protocols for imposing limitations on former bishops who were removed from office for grave reasons. It also empowers the USCCB president to restrict bishops removed or resigned for reasons related to sexual abuse or abuse of power.
3. AFFIRMING OUR EPISCOPAL COMMITMENTS
This accountability measure implements a bishop code of conduct, including the affirmation that the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People is expanded to include bishops as well as priests and deacons.
4. DIRECTIVES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF VOS ESTIS LUX MUNDI CONCERNING BISHOPS AND THEIR EQUIVALENTS
Presents a plan for optimal implementation of Pope Francis’s recent Motu proprio in the United States, including an outline for lay involvement.
In June 2019, the U.S. Catholic Bishops approved three additional measures to address abuse and bishop accountability. The measures expand upon Pope Francis' Motu Proprio and the U.S. Bishops' Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The reforms are designed to hold bishops accountable for instances of sexual misconduct against minors and vulnerable adults.
1. POPE FRANCIS MOTU PROPRIO VOS ESTIS LUX MUNDI
2. PROTOCOL REGARDING AVAILABLE NON-PENAL RESTRICTIONS ON BISHOPS
This form of accountability provides protocols for imposing limitations on former bishops who were removed from office for grave reasons. It also empowers the USCCB president to restrict bishops removed or resigned for reasons related to sexual abuse or abuse of power.
3. AFFIRMING OUR EPISCOPAL COMMITMENTS
This accountability measure implements a bishop code of conduct, including the affirmation that the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People is expanded to include bishops as well as priests and deacons.
4. DIRECTIVES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF VOS ESTIS LUX MUNDI CONCERNING BISHOPS AND THEIR EQUIVALENTS
Presents a plan for optimal implementation of Pope Francis’s recent Motu proprio in the United States, including an outline for lay involvement.
ADDITIONAL USCCB RESOURCES
- PREVENTION. PROTECTION. ACCOUNTABILITY. CREATING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL
- ANNUAL AUDIT REPORTS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CHARTER FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
- CHILDREN SAFETY INFORMATION LINKS
- Additional detailed information regarding the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and Essential Norms
- VICTIM ASSISTANCE additional information
- RESEARCH
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS