5 minute read
An advocate for victim-survivors
from Catholic Key April/May 2022
by dkcsj
Whitney True-Francis
By Ashlie Hand | Photos by Megan Marley
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, which marks an important month in the year-round work of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph’s Office of Child and Youth Protection (OCYP). One of the newest members of the OCYP team is Victim Assistance Coordinator (VAC)Whitney True-Francis. We sat down with Whitney to learn more about her role and her passion for supporting victims and survivors of child abuse.
Q: Where do you fit in at the diocesan offices?
I am on the local response team for victim-survivors when a report is made of sexual abuse of a minor within the Church. I also partner with Journey to Bethany to help transform the diocese and the local community’s response and their support of victims and survivors of abuse within the Church.
Q: How long has the diocese had a Victim Assistance Coordinator?
In 2002, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) adopted The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and The Essential Norms, marking a significant shift in the level of organization and accountability in Church law regarding clergy sexual abuse. As part of the Charter, the responsibility of victim outreach and pastoral support was established and required for every diocese.
Q: What drew you to the role of Victim Assistance Coordinator?
A belief in the rights of all victims and survivors, their pursuit of justice and dignity, their right to be believed and actively listened to. I want to take my experiences in anti-violence systems change and share them with the Church in our effort to transform the response to clergy sexual abuse.
Q: What is a typical day like for you in your role?
I have the privilege of walking with victim-survivors and their support systems as they journey through disclosing the abuse they endured, participating in the Independent Review Board process, and counseling. I also support victim-survivors by raising awareness of trauma, long-term health impacts of abuse, and work to integrate trauma-informed processes and policies into our response to those who have been harmed by clergy sexual abuse.
Q: What is “survivor-led response” and why is it important in the work you do?
A survivor-led or survivor-centered response means that we strive to keep victim-survivor’s voices and experiences at the center of this work. We have a responsibility to invite victim-survivors to inform the work that is happening. Providing options and finding ways to meet them where they are at is all part of a survivor-centered approach.
Q: Is healing possible?
Healing is possible for some but may not be accessible for all at this time. Healing doesn’t mean that a person gets over it or is finally unaffected by the abuse. A victim-survivor will never be unaffected by the harm they endured. We can prevent future abuse and respond to victim-survivors in a way that holds abusers accountable and creates a Church culture of safety for victim-survivors.
April 26 | Day of Prayer in Atonement for those Harmed by Sexual Abuse
Each year since 2017, the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph has set aside one day during Child Abuse Prevention Month devoted to prayer in atonement for those harmed by sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. This started with the Service of Lament in 2016, where Bishop James Johnston made five commitments to the people of the diocese, including naming April 26 as an Annual Day of Prayer. Bishop Johnston will celebrate Mass on April 26, 2022, at 12:15 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, to which the entire community is invited. The diocese’s Victim Assistance Coordinator will join counselors and members of clergy to meet with attendees following Mass. Additional healing services are being held at various times and locations across the diocese.
Many events and expressions of atonement, support and educational awareness are planned throughout the month in our diocese as we all journey together along the path of healing and hope. These include:
• April 21, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Zoom webinar: Recognizing the Signs of Sexual Abuse
• April 26, 12:15 p.m. Annual Mass in Atonement for Those Harmed by Sexual Abuse with Bishop James Johnston, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Kansas City
• April 26, evening time TBD Healing Service hosted by Journey to Bethany, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Kansas City
• Pinwheel displays in various locations throughout the Diocese of Kansas City- St. Joseph | Learn where at journeytobethany.org/ calendar. The pinwheel is the official symbol of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Learn more at preventchildabuse.org.
For a full list of events, details and links, visit catholickey.org.
If you experienced sexual abuse as a minor by a member of Catholic clergy, religious or Church volunteer, please consider making a report. Contact Independent Ombudsman Joe Crayon at crayon@ ombudsmankcsj.org.
