CHILD SAFETY
PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN
PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN
As Christians, we know that God’s image in each person, and God’s call to holiness form the basis for human dignity. Our duty is to protect this human dignity, especially in the most vulnerable among us, our children. It is essential that they find a safe environment in our homes, in our schools, in our worship communities, and in the general community. Sexual abuse of a minor is a sin and a criminal act, which causes enormous pain, anger, and confusion. In order to protect the children and young people of the Diocese of St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic of Chicago from such abuse on the part of personnel acting in the name of the Diocese, this policy addresses the need for prevention, reporting and investigation of allegations of sexual abuse of minors. It endeavors to provide a means of outreach to those who have been abused and the communities who are harmed by the abuse.
The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People is a landmark document drafted and passed unanimously by the bishops of the United States at their June meeting in Dallas in 2002. The document is a response to the sexual abuse crisis in the church and a “Promise to Protect, Pledge to Heal.”
There are four focus areas:
In order to protect the faithful in the future, 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 all members of the community the standards of conduct for clergy and other persons in positions of trust with regard to sexual abuse.” This guideline, which mandates that all dioceses create a safe environment for children and young people who pray, study and worship in our schools and churches, is the basis for our diocesan safe environment programs.
St. Thomas SyroMalabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago’s efforts for prevention will focus on screening and education.
Note: If you are associated with St. Thomas SyroMalabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago, you can enroll for background screening by following instructions here.
Anyone sexually abused as a minor or who knows about a case of sexual abuse of a minor should immediately report it to the civil authorities. When such sexual abuse has been committed by a cleric, religious, seminarian, diocesan or parish employee or a diocesan or parish volunteer it also should be reported to the Bishop of St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago through the Committee for Sexual Abuse Investigation at (630) 474-5172. Reporting can be made at any hour of the day.
Investigation
The Diocese/parish will cooperate with investigations by appropriate civil authorities. In addition, all cases of sexual abuse of a minor committed by Diocesan/parish personnel will be investigated by the Diocese in order to provide the Bishop with the necessary information to determine the appropriate course of action. Every effort will be made to maintain confidentiality so as to protect the rights of all parties concerned.
The Diocesan response to both victim and alleged offender will be to pursue justice with tenacity while also pursuing mercy with love and compassion.
The Diocese of St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic is committed to providing safe environments and fostering continuous improvement in every organization that sponsors activities and/or provides services to children and youth.
Through a series of workshops, educational materials, classroom instruction and background checks, the Diocese is:
Your Role in Creating Safe Environments
As an adult you play a vital role in creating safe environments for children. To ensure the safety of everyone, especially those at-risk:
GET involved in activities with your child.
TEACH your child the correct names for their private body parts.
KNOW where your child is and who is with him/her.
ENSURE activities are monitored by more than one adult.
ALLOW a child to be picked up only by an authorized person.
PREVENT abduction by creating a secret password with your child.
NEVER leave a child in a building, on a field trip or in a public bathroom alone.
MEET with a child only in areas visible to others.
ALWAYS monitor access to a child’s activities.
BE ALERT to strangers hanging around.
MAKE sure enough adults are involved in the programs in which your child participates.
TEACH your child what to do if someone makes them uncomfortable.
Code of Conduct for Church Personnel
As someone who ministers to young people, I will maintain a professional role and be mindful of the trust and power I possess as a minister to young people. To achieve this,
I will:
ü Never touch a minor in a sexual way or other inappropriate manner.
ü Never be alone with a minor in a residence, rectory, sleeping facility, or any other closed room.
ü Never share a bed with a minor.
ü Never take an overnight trip alone with a minor.
ü Never introduce sexually explicit or pornographic topics, vocabulary, music, recordings, films, games, web sites, computer software, or entertainment.
ü Never provide drugs, alcohol, or tobacco to a minor.
ü Never use, possesses, or be under the influence of illegal drugs.
ü Never use alcohol when engaged in ministering to a minor.
ü Never engage in physical discipline for behavior management of minors. No form of physical discipline is acceptable.
Measures to Aid Observance of the Code of Conduct
To help me keep the promises in the Code, I will:
Practical Suggestions
These are some practical suggestions for identifying permissible and impermissible conduct.
Conduct that May Be Permissible
Appropriate affection between Church personnel and minors constitutes a positive
part of Church life and ministry. Nonetheless, any touching can be misunderstood and must be considered with great discretion. Depending on the circumstances, the following forms of affection are customarily (but not always) regarded as appropriate.
Conduct that is Not Permissible
Some forms of physical affection have been used by adults to initiate inappropriate contact with minors. In order to maintain the safest possible environment for minors, the following are examples of affection that are not to be used:
Code of Conduct Acknowledgement Form
Employees and Volunteers
Parish/School/Agency _____________________________________
Date ________________________________
I have received a copy of the Code of Conduct for Church Personnel. I have read and understand this Code of Conduct, and I agree to abide by it. I have also read and understand the “Measures to Aid Observance of the Code of Conduct” and the “Practical Suggestions” and will employ them to help me observe the code of conduct. A violation of this code can result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination and/or removal from ministry.
_______________________________________
Signature
_______________________________________
Print Name
_______________________________________
Position
The signed Code of Conduct Acknowledgement Form shall be kept in employee personnel files at the agency/parish/school or in a general volunteer file at the agency/parish/school.