POLICY
A newly revised Policy and Procedures Relating to Allegations of Sexual
Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons or by Lay Employees or Volunteers.
This policy is in full accordance with state and federal laws and meets
the Standards set forth in the Charter for the Protection of Children
and Young people. All clergy, employees, volunteers and contract employees
of the Diocese of Bridgeport will receive a copy of the policy.
Click
here for a copy of the Diocesan
Sexual Abuse Policy.
Click
here for the "Charter
for the Protection of Children and Young People."
Click
here for the Revised
Essential Norms.
BACKGROUND
CHECKS
Background Checks are required for all clergy, employees, volunteers
and contract employees within the Diocese of Bridgeport.
Click
here to read the "Diocese of Bridgeport
Policy for Conducting Background Checks on Employees, Volunteers, and
Contract Employees."
A
powerful deterrent, a source of vital information
Why do we conduct background checks?
BY
BETH LONGWARE DUFF
Fairfield County Catholic,
February 2004
A
major component of the Safe Environments Initiative of the Diocese of
Bridgeport is the criminal background check, which is now required of
everyone who works for the Catholic Church in Fairfield County – priests,
deacons, religious women and men, lay employees, volunteers, and contractors.
Over the course of the next year, these 20,000 people will undergo a
background check, which is conducted by an outside professional firm.
Erin
Neil, M.S.W., director of the diocesan Office of Safe Environments,
and Louise Stewart-Spagnuolo, (then) diocesan director of Resource Development,
have been traveling around the diocese, rolling out the Safe Environments
Initiative through informational in-service presentations.
In
February 2004, Stewart-Spagnuolo sat down with Fairfield County Catholic
to answer some of the most frequently-asked questions about the required
background check.
Fairfield
County Catholic: Background checks of employees have become
commonplace in the business world today. Why should the Catholic Church
use them?
Louise
Stewart-Spagnuolo: While we are a Church, we are also an employer.
Background checks are being required by more and more employers and
by any organization that deals with children – Scouts, youth soccer
leagues, Little League Baseball, for example.
FCC:
What kind of reaction are you getting from people on the subject?
Stewart-Spagnuolo:
Very positive. People seem to support it and understand that we need
to do this, but there are a few areas of concern, such as where the
information goes and who has access to it.
FCC:
Where does the information go, and who has access to it?
Stewart-Spagnuolo:
All information comes back to one source – my computer – which is double
password protected, one for the computer and one for the report. And
individual institutions will only be told to hire or not to hire an
individual, not the details of why.
FCC:
What other concerns have you heard?
Stewart-Spagnuolo:
People expressed concerns about mistakes they may have made in the past,
especially when they were young. While each report will be reviewed
on its own merits, we let people know that, generally speaking, their
youthful indiscretions will not be held against them. The only things
we have zero tolerance for are crimes against children, and sex crimes.
FCC:
How far back does the background check go, and what does it cover?
Stewart-Spagnuolo:
Checks are done on applicants who are aged 18 and older. It does not
include youth who are doing community service for Confirmation. We get
a written report that goes back ten years, but the search goes back
as far as there are records. The criteria for what gets checked is pre-established
in our policy, and it’s on the authorization form. We conduct a criminal
background check on everyone, and an additional credit check on those
people who work with finances. That’s all we can check. To do anything
else would be going against our policy and violating privacy laws. We
do not check medical backgrounds.
FCC:
Who actually conducts the search?
Stewart-Spagnuolo:
The company that we use for employees is MYB, Inc., and we use ChoicePoint
for volunteers. Both were identified by our insurer, Catholic Mutual.
People have asked us if either company sells their lists, and we have
confirmed with them that they do not.
FCC:
Has the process turned up any “hits”?
Stewart-Spagnuolo:
Yes. And this is why background checks are so important, and can be
a powerful deterrent. Predators share information on how to access organizations,
so the idea is to create a reality where they’ll say, “Don’t even go
near the Catholic Church – they have a policy in place that will find
you.” And that will deter any predators from coming into our safe environment.
AWARENESS
TRAINING
Awareness
training sessions called Protecting God's Children for Adults
are being held across the Diocese by VIRTUS trained facilitators. This
is a special 3-hour training that teaches adults in the Catholic community
to create safer environments and become part of the solution to prevent
child abuse. This training has met with positive responses from parents
and volunteers from across our Diocese. The training provides adults
with awareness of the issues surrounding child sexual abuse and some
important steps that we can all take for the protection of children.
Adults learn about the warning signs of potential sex offenders and
unsafe situations that could place a child or a vulnerable adult at
risk of abuse. At every session adults learn how to respond if they
should suspect abuse and how to make a report in the State of CT and
in the Diocese of Bridgeport. Participants are provided with an overview
of the Diocese of Bridgeport Code of Conduct and our Diocesan Policy
relating to Sexual Abuse of Minors.
To
register for the awareness training please go to www.virtusonline.org
and select Registration. Then select Bridgeport,
CT. You will be directed to the most current schedule of upcoming
sessions in your area. All participants who attend this training will
receive a card as proof of attendance.
All
parents, grandparents, and interested parishioners are welcome and encouraged
to attend Protecting God's Children. Employees and volunteers
from the Archdiocese of Hartford and the Diocese of Norwich are welcome
to attend. Please notify your local Safe Environment Office if you are
from another Diocese.
CONTINUING
EDUCATION:
Continuing
Education on abuse prevention is critical in maintaining Safe Environments
into the future. Following the 3-hour live awareness training, select
categories of personnel will receive continuing education online. Pastors,
School Principals, Directors of Religious Education, Local Safe Environment
Coordinators, and VIRTUS Facilitators will receive updates online. All
parents and interested volunteers may access the free home page at any
time to learn more about child safety and abuse prevention.
For
more information on continuing education, please contact your immediate
supervisor at your school, parish or program. You may also contact Safe
Environments.
Resources
for Parents
Important
Links from Child
Lures Prevention:
Helpful
Hints. Helpful hints for discussing your child's personal safety.
Prevention
Measures. Think of Child Lures Prevention as a vaccine: teaching
kids its prevention measures should be as routine as taking them for
their scheduled immunization shots.
Missing
Children. Steps to take if your child is missing
Definitive
Guide. The definitive guide to keeping children safe
Internet
Safety. Includes the Family Internet Safety Pact
Family
Agreement. A family agreement to keep Internet use fun and safe.
THE
DIOCESAN OFFICE OF SAFE ENVIRONMENTS
The Office of Safe Environments is a new dedicated Diocesan Department
to oversee implementation of the above.
Personnel
include:
Erin Neil, M.S.W.,, Director of Safe Environments and Victim
Assistance Coordinator
Mr. Bill Hoey, L.C.S.W., Clergy Counselor and Victim Assistance
Coordinator
THE
SAFE ENVIRONMENT INITIATIVE
Answers to Some Frequently-Asked Questions
What
is the Safe Environment Initiative?
The Safe Environment Initiative involves all priests, deacons, religious
men and women, lay employees, volunteers, and contract workers in Fairfield
County. It is intended to make them more aware of the warning signs
of child sexual abuse and how to prevent it. The trainings also provide
the correct methods to report suspected abuse both in The State of Connecticut
and The Diocese of Bridgeport.
Why
is it necessary?
The Safe Environment Initiative is aimed at ensuring that all people
who come into contact with the Catholic Church in Fairfield County feel
safe and comfortable.
When
did it go into effect?
The Safe Environment Initiative was inaugurated in June 2003 by Bishop
William E. Lori.
Why
wasn't it needed before that date?
The Church's efforts to secure a safe environment are not new. The original
Diocesan Sexual Misconduct Policy was promulgated in 1991 and established
a strict code of conduct for all Diocesan personnel regarding sexual
misconduct with a minor. The policy was revised and reissued in 2001
and 2002, and updated to conform to all civil and Church laws, including
the "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People." What
is new is the coordinated approach and public commitment, under the
direction of Erin Neil, director of the new Office of Safe Environments.
Is
anyone exempt from the Diocesan Sexual Misconduct Policy?
No. All 20,000 people who work for the Church in Fairfield County--
clergy and lay, employee and volunteer-- are required to read and sign
the Diocesan Sexual Misconduct Policy. The Policy outlines the procedure
to follow if abuse of a minor is suspected.
What
are the components of the Initiative?
There are four main components of the Safe Environment Initiative: the
Diocesan Sexual Misconduct Policy; criminal background checks; awareness
training sessions; and the Office for Safe Environments.
THE
BACKGROUND CHECK: Does everyone who works for the Diocese have to undergo
a background check?
The simple answer is yes.
Why?
Maintaining a safe environment is everyone's responsibility, and no
one who works for the Catholic Church should be exempt. For our initiative
to be successful, everyone, without exception, should participate. That
means all of our clergy and employees, but also anyone who comes into
contact with children-catechists, teachers, lectors, Eucharistic ministers,
volunteers at a parish picnic or carnival, and contract employees. Even
Bishop Lori has undergone a background check.
Who
else does background checks?
Background checks are now required by more and more employers and by
organizations that deal with children-Scouts, youth soccer leagues,
and Little League Baseball, for example.
How
are these checks done?
Checks are done on all individuals who are 18 and older. It does not
include youth who are doing community service for Confirmation. We conduct
a criminal background check on everyone; an additional credit check
on those people who are responsible for finances; and a motor vehicle
check for any individual responsible for driving children. Not to do
so would violate our policy. We do not check medical records.
Is
anyone exempt from background checks?
No. It is important to remember that background checks can be a
powerful deterrent. Predators share information on how to access organizations,
so the idea is to create a reality where they'll say, "Don't even go
near the Catholic Church-they have a policy in place that will find
you." And that will deter any predators from invading our safe environment.
To accomplish this we must have 100% compliance. Where we provide the
exception, the predator will find it.
Will
my past mistakes be held against me?
The only behaviors we have zero tolerance for are sex crimes and crimes
against children. All other convictions will be reviewed on a case-by-case
basis. The intent is not to cause harm or public embarrassment to people
for past mistakes that they have already been punished for.
AWARENESS
TRAINING: What are the goals of awareness training?
To recognize the warning signs of sexual abuse, and to know how to respond
if abuse is suspected. It is intended to restore trust in the Church
and her many ministries and good works among members of our communities.
Most importantly, the goal of awareness training is the protection of
our children.
Who
is conducting awareness training and who must attend?
Everyone who works or volunteers for the Diocese or any parishes or
programs must attend an awareness training session conducted by one
of the 15 Trained Facilitators for The Diocese of Bridgeport. The Facilitators
have received extensive training from an independent, professional organization
called VIRTUS.
Am
I required to participate in awareness training as a condition of my
employment or volunteer service?
Yes. We hope that everyone will willingly participate and acknowledge
the importance of this public commitment. It is important to remember
that what the Church is asking of its members is very common in the
secular workplace. While we are a Church, we are also a major employer,
and we serve people of all ages.
Is
this the right thing to do?
Yes, it is the right thing to do. Many times doing the right thing can
be inconvenient or difficult, but it still must be done. This effort
is not about causing public embarrassment to anyone. It will require
patience and persistence, and a fair amount of paperwork. But our goal
is just: creating an environment that is healthy, nurturing, comfortable-and
safe.
THE
OFFICE FOR SAFE ENVIRONMENTS: What is the Office of Safe Environments?
The Office of Safe Environments oversees the implementation of the programs
and policies.
Who
is the director of the new Office of Safe Environments?
Erin Neil, M.S.W., is the new Director of the Office of Safe Environments.
A social worker, Ms. Neil has over six years of experience working with
the elderly, disabled, and mentally ill. She has also interned with
the Caring Connections program of Catholic Family Services.
ADDITIONAL
QUESTIONS:
What
is the procedure to follow if I suspect that a child has been abused?
Anyone who has actual knowledge of, or has reasonable
cause to suspect, misconduct against a minor by any personnel of the
Diocese must report that information immediately to Ms.
Erin Neil, M.S.W., Director of Safe Environments: (203) 650-3265, or
Mr. Bill Hoey, L.C.S.W., Clergy Counselor: (203) 241-0987. All reports
are confidential.
Mandated
reporters under state law, such as a priest or school teacher, must
also directly report any incident of sexual abuse of a minor to the
State of Connecticut Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at (800) 842-2288.
In fact, anyone can make a confidential report to this hotline.
As
an employee or volunteer, you should also report any incident involving
sexual abuse of a minor to your immediate supervisor.
Whom
do I contact if I have more questions?
Please continue the conversation with your parish priests. For information
on the Safe Environments Initiative contact Erin Neil, Director of Safe
Environments, at (203) 372-4301, extension 563, or e-mail eneil@diobpt.org.
For information on background checks, contact Louise Stewart-Spagnuolo,
Director of Support Services, at (203) 372-4301, extension 251, or e-mail
lsspagnuolo@diobpt.org.
There
is a dedicated page on our Safe Environment Initiative and its programs
on our Diocesan website, www.bridgeportdiocese.com. In addition, all
forms and information relative to background checks is available on
the Diocesan website, under the "Resources: Human Resources" banner.
SCHEDULING
A TRAINING SESSION
To schedule a Protecting God's Children Awareness Training
at your school, parish, organization or programs please contact: Erin
Neil, Director of Safe Environments at (203) 372-4301 Ext. 563. Training
sessions last for 4 hours. The facility hosting the training must have
a TV/VCR or LCD Projector and Screen available in order to show two
videos. We ask that training sessions be limited to 50 people at this
time. You may need to schedule several trainings offered at your program,
parish or school in order to accommodate all of your employees and volunteers.
Open
Training Opportunities within The Diocese of Bridgeport will also be
posted at www.virtus.org.
Pre-Registration Instructions All members of the clergy, employees,
volunteers and contract employees must register online at www.virtus.org
to attend a training session.
Click
here for a Training Request Form.
REPORTING
AN ALLEGATION OF SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR WITHIN THE DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT
Any personnel of the Diocese of Bridgeport who have actual knowledge
of or have reasonable cause to suspect misconduct against a minor by
any personnel of the Diocese must report that information immediately
to:
Ms.
Erin Neil, M.S.W., Director of Safe Environments: (203)
650-3265
or
Mr. Bill Hoey, L.C.S.W., Clergy Counselor: (203)
241-0987
If
you are a mandated reporter, you must also directly report any incident
of sexual abuse of a minor to The State of Connecticut Child Abuse and
Neglect Hotline: (800) 842-2288. Anyone can make a report to The
State of Connecticut Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline. As an employee
or volunteer, you should also report any incident involving sexual abuse
of a minor to your immediate supervisor.
Any
allegations of sexual harassment involving an adult member of the Diocese
of Bridgeport should be directed to Louise Stewart-Spagnuolo, Director
of Support Services, (203) 416-1405, e-mail: lsspagnuolo@diobpt.org.
For more information on Human Resources, click
here.
Office
of Safe Environments, Director
Ms.
Erin Neil, M.S.W.
(203) 416-1406
Email
AWARENESS
TRAINING CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE
In
order for the certificate of awareness training (sample copies are posted
below) to be accepted as temporary proof of awareness training, it must
contain an original signature by a certified VIRTUS facilitator and
the participant's signature must be documented on the awareness training
sign-in sheet. Participant signatures on the VIRTUS sign-in sheets are
official proof of awareness training attendance.
All
original VIRTUS sign-in sheets are stored with Safe Environments. A
copy of each sign-in sheet must be stored with each training location.
Replacement cards can always be obtained by contacting Safe Environment
office. Please be prepared to provide the date and training location
where you attended.
