March 28, 2009
Keeping children safe, protected from abuse is a ‘permanent commitment’
By Julie Sly
Herald editor
‘Child abuse permeates every corner of our society, every socioeconomic group and every ethnic group.’
Mary Hastings
During April, Child Abuse Prevention Month will be marked in parishes and
dioceses across the United States, including parishes in the Diocese of
Sacramento.
The diocese’s Safe Environment Program, as those in dioceses across the nation, requires education for minors on how to protect themselves from harm and background screening and training for adults on appropriate relationships with youth in their care.
The Herald spoke recently with Mary Hastings, safe environment coordinator for the Diocese of Sacramento, about sexual abuse and the priority focus given to the Safe Environment Program.
Q: Child Abuse Prevention Month will be marked in parishes and dioceses across the country in April. Why is this significant?
A: With the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (adopted by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in June 2002), Catholic dioceses across the country made a commitment to doing everything we can to keep children safe and free from abuse. This is not a temporary commitment, but a permanent commitment. We communicate this message year-round, but are using April as Child Abuse Prevention Month as a time to share more information and raise everyone’s awareness.
Q: Is sexual abuse still a huge problem in our society?
A: We have learned many important lessons living through the sexual abuse scandal in the church. We have learned about the history of child abuse in society and we have immersed ourselves in the statistics regarding child abuse.
Sexual and physical child abuse as well as neglect are very, very serious problems in our society. Statistics vary, but most say one in five girls and one in 10 boys will be sexually abused prior to their 18th birthday. Thirty-one percent of abuse involves children under age three years of age with 63 percent of all abuse being neglect. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there were 905,000 reported child abuse victims in 2006 alone. All of these numbers are too high.
Q: Why is the diocese’s Safe Environment Program still as important and relevant today as when it was initiated?
A: When our programs were first developed it was an aggressive and immediate commitment to address sexual abuse within the church. This commitment remains and has expanded. It is still important today, because abuse still affects God’s children.
Q: What are the components of the program?
A: The charter actually has 17 articles. Those that parishioners will be most aware of are prevention training programs for adults and children and background screenings for adults working with children. All clergy are required to complete training programs and undergo background checks as well.
In addition, the diocese has a written Code of Conduct Policy and Sexual Misconduct Policy. Our seminarians must undergo extensive screening and training before and during their years in the seminary. And, of course, we offer pastoral care for individuals who have been victimized by members of the church.
Q: Are there new elements being added to the program?
A: This is a good question. We are always looking at new ways to raise awareness and offer support. This year we will offer two retreats for victims of any kind of abuse. They will be offered on April 24 and then again on Oct. 2.
In addition, several dioceses have developed support programs for those dealing with pornography issues and training programs focused on the proper and safe use of technology — the Internet, cell phones, etc. We are looking at these programs as well.
Q: How have people responded to these education programs?
A: I think early on some felt this was another task to add to their “to do” list. Now, I think most are very appreciative. Our “Shield the Vulnerable” training program for adults has received excellent feedback. More than 98 percent of participants feel the training is very beneficial and are grateful it is available.
Q: The results of the audit of Safe Environment Programs nationwide were just released. When did the Diocese of Sacramento’s audit occur and what were the results?
A: In the fall of 2007 we had a “live” audit with two auditors visiting our diocese for a week, reviewing and analyzing our programs and policies. In 2008, we were asked to submit our data on paper only. Both years we “passed” or met the guidelines as set forth by the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
This year, the auditors will return to our diocese and in addition to meeting with Bishop Jaime Soto, I, and others here at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, they will also visit several parishes and schools conducting on-site audits to ensure that everyone is meeting the safe environment guidelines.
Q: You have been in your role for almost two years now. What are some of your impressions and observations as you serve in this role?
A: Understanding the importance of these programs and implementing them has taken time for everyone. I find that the majority of our parishes and schools are very supportive of our safe environment programs. They understand the need and the benefit.
Q: What are the challenges ahead?
A: Keeping everyone energized and committed is always a challenge. Working with our small rural parishes and missions to help them implement these programs can be a challenge. We also need to look at some of the programs I mentioned above, such as pornography issue support programs and safe technology training and determine how to get that information out into the parishes and schools.
I wish I could say I think the sexual abuse issue will go away, but it won’t. Child abuse, particularly sexual abuse, is not just “a Catholic thing.” It permeates every corner of our society, every socioeconomic group and every ethnic group. As people of faith, we have a responsibility to safeguard every life and to treat it as sacred. Protection of the children is an important part of this responsibility.
As Bishop Blase Cupich, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People said recently: “We are setting a standard. There is a worldwide epidemic of child sexual abuse. The more our whole society sheds light on this problem, the more we can ensure there is a safe environment for children everywhere.”
