Safe Environments Program:
For the Sake of God’s Children
Diocese of Wilmington
2009

As a faith filled people we value and
honor every individual as created in
the image and likeness of God. We
provide an environment where
honesty, trust and mutual respect
frame all relationships and clear
behavioral standards are the norm.
Diocesan Requirements

Criminal background

Renewed every five years

Who/How/When
Who does the actual clearances?
What about background checks from other organizations/the state?
Those done by other states?

Who has access/how are they retained?
Only the individual and the Coordinator of Safe Environments
receive the report.
They are stored in a secured external disk drive permanently.
Role of the Review Panel

Ethical Standards
Basis for Standards:
Self knowledge
Appropriate Boundaries
Accountability
Who/How/When

Church personnel will


Exhibit the highest ethical standards
and personal integrity reflective of the
teachings of the Gospel.
At all times conduct themselves in a
professional manner including
developing and maintaining the level of
professional competence
commensurate with their ministerial
duties


Witness God’s love for every person by
sensitivity, reverence and respect of
each individual with and to whom they
minister.
Be conscious of the unique power they
have in relationships due to the trust
they are given and the visibility of their
witness and leadership.


Assume the full burden for setting and
maintaining clear, appropriate physical
and emotional boundaries in all
ministerial relationships.
Avoid taking unfair advantage of
ministerial relationships for the benefit
of themselves or others.


Not physically, sexually or emotionally
abuse or neglect any person.
Have a duty to report their own ethical
and professional misconduct and the
misconduct of others.

Educational Processes include:
Brochures for employees, families,
parish communities and volunteers
Video: Child Abuse, how to see it, how to
stop it
Diocesan Policy (REVIEW)
Reporting Procedures
When and how to report abuse

Education for Children


Curriculum : Keeping Our Promises
pre k thru 12 based on the 11
characteristics of a safe
environment.
Posters
Requirements for Religious Priests,
Brothers and Sisters




If they live in DOW and work here
If they live here and work
elsewhere
If they live outside the Diocese and
work here.
If they are in retirement in the
Diocese
Religious Priests/Brothers/Sisters




Statement of Suitability from Major
Superior
Criminal Background Check
Ethical Standards
Educational Process provided by the
Diocese.
Education Is Essential
What is child abuse?
The four types of abuse
Physical Abuse
 Neglect
 Sexual Abuse
 Emotional Abuse

Signs of Abuse


Be aware that the presence of one sign
does not necessarily indicate abuse.
Realize that the presence of a number
of these signs may be reason for
concern and possible exploration . No
single sign proves a child has been
mistreated but when signs appear
repeatedly this should prompt
heightened concern.
Signs of Sexual Abuse







Avoidance that is confusing or of concern
Hyperactivity
Fear of previously likeable places or
people
New words for private body parts
Talking about a new older friend
Refusing to talk about a “secret” that she
or he has with an adult or older child.
Self destructive behaviors
Who is an Abuser
The most common sex offender is:






Male
Married
Knows the victim
All socio economic classifications
Every religious background
Every career base
Types of Offenders



Opportunist: seeks children
regularly until caught
Pedophile : has no sexual interest in
adults and is sexually attracted to
only children under the age of
thirteen.
Sex Offender: an individual who is
drawn to children for sexual
exploitation.
Warning Signs of a Sexual Predator









SOME SIGNS MAY INCLUDE:
Insists on hugging, touching, kissing, tickling, wrestling with
or holding a child even when the child does not want this
affection
Is overly interested in the sexuality of a particular child or
teen.
Manages to get time alone or insists on time alone with a
child with no interruptions…a weekend sleepover.
Spends most of his or her spare time with children or teens
and has little interest in spending time with someone of his or
her own age.
Regularly offers to take children on outings alone.
Buys expensive gifts or gives money for no apparent reason.
Frequently walks in on children or teens in the bathroom
Allows children or teens to consistently get away with
inappropriate behaviors.
Whose Problem Is This?




Child Abuse is the horrific reality of
our society.
Every 2 minutes a child is abused
(four types)
85% or more know the abuser well
One in four girls and one in six boys
is victimized by age 18
Myths




Most sexual offenders are strangers
FACT Most sexual assaults are committed
by someone familiar to the victim
The majority of sexual offenders are
caught, convicted and sentenced to
prison.
FACT Only a small fraction of those who
commit sexual assault are apprehended
and convicted for their crimes.
Statistics



More than 90% of abusers are parents,
brothers, sisters or close relatives, the
age of abusers is dropping and we now
have children abusing children.
Other professions where abusers are
identifiable: teachers, school bus drivers,
coaches, scout leaders, counselors,
ministers of other denominations, school
principal.
95% of child abusers were abused as
children.
Appropriate Boundaries for
Relationships
PRINCIPLES
Know yourself --- what you know and
can do and what is best referred
elsewhere. Diocesan resourcing and
beyond.
Establish limits --- personal space,
time, resources
Be accountable --- to self, the diocese
and the state laws.
Build A Safe Environment For Everyone
Expectations
 Know the physical plant and be sure that
access areas are appropriately lighted
(back entrances should not be used for
public access, especially not to give entry
to young people).
 Use the two adult standard and the buddy
system with kids…… don’t be alone with
children.
 Use computer equipment responsibly
recognizing the growing access to
pornography/internet access.
Pornography





22% of teen girls say they electronically sent or posted
online nude or semi-nude self images. 33% teen boys
and 25% teen girls say they have shared images meant to
be private.
Sleepovers with 13 -14 year old girls who gather to watch
porn to learn about sex and what boys want
Every second $3,075 is being spent on pornography
The porn industry is larger than the revenues of the top
technology companies combined.
Hollywood produces 400 feature films a year and the porn
industry churns out 11,000


70% of 15-17 year olds said they
accidentally came across
pornography on line.
Child pornography is illegal, not
protected by the 1st Amendment.
Data from presentation at National Coordinator of Safe Environments 2009
What can adults provide?








Boundaries appropriate to the relationship
Trained and honest leaders
Being aware that the facility is secure
Be properly trained to respond to
emergency situations
Report inappropriate behaviors
Earn respect
Be a positive role model
Remain free from unwarranted suspicion.
VICTIM’S ASSISTANCE OFFICE AND
SERVICES
Peg McLaughlin
Contact thru Catholic Charities
Expectations of the Diocese about when and
how to report

If anyone has cause to believe that
abuse has occurred or receives a
report of such an act , a report of the
incident must be made immediately
to the appropriate state authority.
Immediately thereafter, the individual
should promptly notify the Vicar
General for Administration. (See
brochure for phone numbers.)
For The Sake Of God’s Children
Diocesan Safe Environment Program



Level Of Compliance: Compliance
Oversight Committee
Level Of Cooperation in Diocese
Leadership Role/Responsibilities
Parish Team/Compliance Person

Materials available upon request:
Video Brochures Posters
Program Manual Curriculum

Use Of Bulletin/Parish Newsletter And
Parish Website as tools for information
and education.
To minister in the name of Jesus Christ is a
great privilege and tremendous responsibility.
As ministers of the Lord we must act in ways
that are in conformity with the attitudes and
actions He lived and taught.
Letter of Bishop Michael Saltarelli May 2003 calling for the
implementation of For the Sake of God’s Children.